Mikkel Andersen is hoping his extended stay at Bristol Rovers could help him break into the Denmark squad for next summer's World Cup.

The 21-year-old shot-stopper has signed a deal which will keep him at the Memorial Stadium for another month.

During that time, the Pirates hope to reach an agreement with his parent club Reading which can prolong his stint until the end of the campaign.

Rovers had hoped to tie up a season-long deal sooner, but the situation has been complicated by the fact the Royals are currently without a manager.

"I'm delighted to be staying here for another five games," said Andersen.

"The managerial situation at Reading means we don't really know what is going to happen in the long-term, but we will see the next month through and then hopefully extend it for the rest of the season.

"I want to keep playing games here because I'm really enjoying it."

Andersen has already won a handful of caps for Denmark Under-21s. But having celebrated his 21st birthday just before Christmas, he is now setting his sights on trying to make an impact at senior level ahead of the World Cup in South Africa.

"I want to be involved in the Denmark squad, but to do that I have to be playing games – and hopefully that's what will happen if I can stay here for the rest of the season," said Andersen. "If the national coach is coming over to watch me, I'll do whatever I can to get in the squad."

Denmark face top seeds Netherlands, Cameroon and Japan in Group E of the World Cup starting in June.

Rovers boss Paul Trollope said: "If we can secure Mikkel to the end of the season, it will be a boost for us.

"He did very well for us over his first spell of games. Like any young keeper, he then went through a bit of a dip in form which coincided with our bad run – and sometimes I think people forget how young he still is.

"But he has come back strongly, regained his confidence and produced some good performances over the last six or seven weeks."

With Andersen's immediate future secured, Rovers' director of football Lennie Lawrence is optimistic that on-loan Steve Phillips will remain at Crewe Alexandra for the rest of the campaign.

Phillips has been offered a two-and-a-half year deal at Gresty Road, but turned it down because he was unable to agree a deal with Rovers to make up a shortfall in wages for the rest of this season.

Lawrence said: "The solution as far as we are concerned is to loan him to Crewe until the end of the season on the same financial basis that we have had so far. At the same time, he can agree terms with Crewe for a two-year deal from the summer.

"I have spoken to Dario Gradi and suggested that to him and the player's agent, and that seems to be the way forward. In my opinion, it will be the best thing for his career.

"I can't see things progressing unless we do it that way."

Striker Lewis Haldane is expected to agree a permanent deal to remain at Port Vale in the next couple of days. He has been on loan at Vale Park since early September.

"Port Vale are keen to take him," said Lawrence. "He has done well there and we are close to sorting out his departure from Bristol Rovers."

Sean Rigg, who has also been on loan at Vale Park for the past month, could follow Haldane to the Potteries if Vale boss Micky Adams decides to pursue his interest in the forward.

"I think the loans Sean has had at Forest Green and at Port Vale have been very good for him and the reports I have had say he has done very well there," said Lawrence.