CHARLIE Rowan wants to be part of an Accrington Stanley promotion push after signing on loan from Watford.

Rowan will get get his first taste of senior football after agreeing a move to the Wham Stadium for the remainder of the season.

The centre-back will boost the options available to manager John Coleman after former loanee Farrend Rawson returned to Derby County before joining League Two rivals Forest Green Rovers.

Rowan is available for tomorrow's trip to Cheltenham Town and is keen to get going in a Stanley shirt.

He said: “I’m really pleased to be here.

“This is my first loan move and I couldn’t ask for more than to be at a good club, who are up there fighting for promotion.

“I’ve watched the team a couple of times, they play football the right way and there are lots of good players here.

“Hopefully, I can break into the managers plans, get some minutes under my belt and help the rest of the lads continue picking up points.

“It’s going to be a test for me, firstly breaking into such a good side and also out on the pitch I’m expecting it to be much more of a physical battle than I would get in development football.”

Rowan joined the Hornets in 2012 and captained the Under-18s side that won the Professional Development League South 2 title in 2015/16.

And the challenges posed by League Two football is something the defender is particularly excited by,

He added: “Fighting for the three points and it actually meaning something.

“Especially here with the team being fourth in the table, a couple of good results can push us right up there.”

Rowan is the third new addition this week, following the arrivals of strikers Offrande Zanzala from Derby County and Akeel Francis who was released by Rotherham United last month. Francis impressed during a trial spell with the club before being offered a short-term permanent deal.

Francis, aged 18, who started his career at Bradford City, said: “I like it here already. I felt comfortable from the moment that I arrived, I feel like it could be a good fit for me.

“I like to think of myself as a pacey and powerful striker who can finish, I hope I can show that here, I want to impress straight away and help the side towards promotion.”