The powerful centre-forward has been a huge hit at Spotland since starting a loan spell in January. He has scored nine goals in 18 appearances to help Dale to within one match of the League Two play-off final which will be held at the National stadium over the May Bank Holiday weekend.

His form has been so impressive Dale are understood to be keen to make the move a permanent one, but Howe only has eyes on a League One place at London Road.

Howe said: "It was my idea to go out on loan and it's worked out really well for me, for Rochdale and hopefully for Posh as well.

"I've had a great time with Rochdale, they're a great bunch of lads and there's no doubt they've helped me become a better player.

"I've proved I can score goals in the Football League which is a big confidence boost, but I want my future to be with Posh and I expect to be back at the club in the summer ready to fight for a place in the side.

"To be fair Darren Ferguson and Kevin Russell have been brilliant with me. They are in regular contact offering congratulations and encouragement and they have made it clear that they want me back and they expect me to be a contender for a first-team place.

"I can't argue with the number games I played while I was there because the front two were awesome all season, but I offer something a bit different and hopefully that will work in my favour."

Posh signed Howe for an undisclosed fee believed to be in the region of £50,000 last summer after the 21 year-old had enjoyed a free-scoring campaign with Kettering Town in Conference North football.

He scored one goal for Posh in their 7-0 rout of Brentford at London Road in November, but he's been a star of Dale's push towards promotion.

Howe played in Dale's 2-1 semi-final first leg defeat at Darlington at the weekend despite being involved in a freak injury suffered by team-mate Lee Thorpe on the way to the game.

Howe added: "We do a bit of arm wrestling on the way to matches for a bit of fun and Lee challenged me even though I'd beaten him badly before.

"I warned him he was going to suffer, but I didn't expect to break his arm. We were wrestling and then there was a loud crack and it turns out he'd broken his arm in three places.

"He wasn't due to play in the game anyway, but it put me off. I didn't play very well in the first-half at Darlington because of it, but I did much better in the second half.

"We really fancy our chances in the second leg to turn it round and then playing at Wembley would cap a great season for me."

The second leg is at Spotland on Saturday.