Rob Atkinson has admitted he would "love to stay" at Bristol City having completed his "hectic" loan move to Portsmouth for the remainder of the season.

The defender left Ashton Gate for a loan spell at Fratton Park in the first week of the January transfer window, having not featured for the Robins in almost two years because of injury.

Atkinson initially suffered an ACL injury in a draw with Sunderland in February 2023, before hamstring issues further delayed his return. After suffering a minor issue in pre-season, the former Oxford United man was a regular fixture on the Reds' bench in the lead-up to the festive period.

READ MORE: McNally on Bristol City move, Bristol Rovers memory, Frank Fielding impact and play-off regret

READ MORE: Liam Manning shares stance on potential Fally Mayulu loan exit in Bristol City transfer update

Despite being a regular starter before his injury, the 26-year-old was unable to displace Luke McNally, Rob Dickie or Zak Vyner in the City defence. Though he felt he needed to leave the West Country to play regular football, he doesn't blame Liam Manning or his former teammates for not throwing him back into the fold.

"I love every single one of them, all three of them are brilliant football players and I can't really complain at the fact I've not been in the team, especially in that position," Atkinson told BBC Radio Solent. "That's a position that you want to build those relationships in and the three of them have been brilliant. It would have been very brave for the manager there to put me in having such a struggling past with injuries so I don't hold any grudges with anyone there.

"We all agreed at Bristol City that it was something that needed to happen. It's quite a unique situation that I'm in. I can't imagine there are many players that have been out for as long as I have and come back to play football, so it's definitely a strange one.

"But we all agreed at Bristol City that it needed to happen. The manager there was great with it and I'm really happy with the decision. I knew it was the right decision. Bristol City picked up an injury the game before I left and I thought that might have thrown a bit of a spanner in the works but fortunately, it didn't change anything for me and I'm really grateful for Bristol City for letting me go out and play football.

"Today was my first session at the training ground, went up to Sunderland for the game, that was a long old drive. Stayed up there, I played the game on whatever day it was, I don't know what day it is now, so it's been hectic. Now I'm on the look for some houses so there's been no rest for me."

Atkinson made his first Championship appearance in around 22 months as he featured off of the bench in Portsmouth's defeat to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, the same ground he suffered his injury in City colours. The Robins loanee feels as though his return in the North East was "meant to be" and is keen to help Pompey dodge the drop into League One.

However, beyond the end of the current campaign, he is still a Bristol City player. Following the 26-year-old's injury the Reds, then under the management of Nigel Pearson, made the bold call to hand Atkinson a new three-year deal which is due to expire at the end of the 2025/26 campaign.

While the centre-back's primary focus is on the next few months on the South Coast, he is keen to return to Ashton Gate and force his way back into Manning's plans, even if he admits he can never be sure of what the future holds in football.

"The plan is, and obviously football can throw a few spanners, but the plan is for me to get as much game time as possible to prove to myself, prove to other people that I am still able to play at this level, consistently without picking up any injuries," explained Atkinson when asked about his long term future. "That's the short-term plan, beyond that, I'm not so sure. I love Bristol City, I love the club, and I'd love to stay there but as I said, you never know with football.

"I'm happy to be here and I want to really help this football club now."

READ MORE: Bristol City Women join Newcastle United and Southampton in new trial for remainder of season

READ MORE: Wolves complete £15m January transfer ahead of FA Cup clash with Bristol City at Ashton Gate