Kyle Lightbourne believes Cardiff City are going up in the world and he wants to be part of their success story.

Just a week into his loan period with the Third Division high fliers, the Bermudian striker has seen enough to convince him that a move to Ninian Park would be the right move.

Lightbourne's contract with Stoke City expires at the end of this season and he is hopeful that the Second Division side will not ask for a transfer fee if Cardiff manager Bobby Gould decides to recruit him on a permanent basis.

Having made a successful debut on Sunday for the Bluebirds, which ended in a 4-2 triumph at Kidderminster Harriers, Lightbourne was hopeful that things would work out.

And even though going down to the Third Division would be a demotion for him, he believed it would be only a temporary one.

"Cardiff is a club I'd really fancy going to,'' said Lightbourne yesterday.

"They're going up in their division and a few more victories and they will have won promotion.

"Their chairman Sam Hamman and Bobby Gould have taken over the club and they're looking to do good things there. They know they have the fan base there to succeed. You get the feeling they are going places. The fans and everyone there seem to be excited about what's happening.'' The three points at Kidderminster moved Cardiff up to second place in the Third Division standings.

Lightbourne played 78 minutes before being substituted because of fatigue and although he did not get his name on the scoresheet, he felt satisfied with his debut.

It was the first time he had made a first-team appearance of more than 15 minutes since January 13, when he played three quarters of Swindon Town's 1-0 home defeat by Port Vale in a previous loan period.

"It was a bit strange at first, adjusting to the pace of first-team football again,'' said Lightbourne. "I lasted 78 minutes, but come Friday I should be able to last a full 90.'' On Friday, Cardiff will entertain Hull City and Lightbourne expects to start again.

"I felt I did OK, but I know I can do a lot better when I get back to full fitness,'' added the striker. "I had a goal disallowed as well, which was disappointing. A corner came over and I won a clean header and it went straight in, but the referee said someone had fouled the goalkeeper.'' Gould told The Royal Gazette last week that he had long been a fan of Lightbourne and wanted to sign him, provided he could prove himself in the team.

"It's nice to know that people think of me that way and now it's really up to me to do the best I can and we'll take it from there,'' said Lightbourne.

Lightbourne was hopeful he could earn a move before transfer deadline day, in less than a month's time, and also hopeful that Stoke would not demand a fee.

"With players of my age, clubs don't usually like to spend money on them, so hopefully I'll be able to go on a free transfer.

"If we can win all the games while I am there, hopefully they'll want me.'' Cardiff, in South Wales, is a two-hour drive away from Lightbourne's home in the English Midlands. But he is limiting the tiring effects of commuting by staying in a Cardiff hotel during the week.

Kyle Lightbourne: Hoping for a permanent move to Third Division promotion chasers Cardiff City.