CHORLEY have solved their goalkeeping conundrum in time for their high profile FA Cup first round clash with Fleetwood Town on Monday night (7.45pm).
The Magpies are without first choice stopper Matty Urwin as he is on loan at the club from the Cod Army and competition rules prevent him from featuring. The same goes for midfielder Nick Haughton but it was Urwin’s absence that was perhaps more pivotal given his position.
And Chorley have secured the signature of Cardiff City teenager Oliver Byrne on a youth loan until the end of the next month with the 19-year-old to make his debut in front of the BT Sport cameras on Monday.
Victory Park boss Matt Jansen is pleased with the signing of the former Manchester United youngster.
“It’s great we’ve been able to bring in Oliver,” said Jansen whose team will train on Saturday ahead of the cup tie.
“He’s been recommended to us before now by Andy Dibble, the goalkeeping coach at Cardiff City. He’s got great distribution for a young goalkeeper and we’re thrilled to have him here.
“He comes highly recommended from people at Manchester United.
“He is the third choice at Cardiff City and he is a good size and a confident lad.
“Hopefully we’ll see him impress as we put things in place ahead of our FA Cup clash.
“We’d also like to thank everyone at Cardiff City for helping get this deal over the line, including Neil Warnock, Bryan Gunn and Andy Dibble. These connections are vital as we continue to push at the top of the table.”
Jansen admitted it had been tricky to find a goalkeeper capable of stepping into the breach with clubs reluctant to let players out for one game, or keepers already being cup tied.
He added: “It was difficult because clubs didn’t want people to be cup tied or they were already cup tied so we were fishing in a small pond.
“Clubs said they wanted people to get games and I had to say we have a first choice goalkeeper who has done nothing wrong and in fact has been fantastic.
“All I could say was that it is a high profile game live on TV which would be great for him but clubs wanted him to get six or seven games which I couldn’t promise. For now it is just for this one game.”
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