Iron manager Russ Wilcox believes young midfielder Luke Hornsey will benefit from regular competitive football after completing a loan switch to Frickley Athletic last week.
The 19-year-old academy product’s move to the Northern Premier League side comes with the season drawing to a close, and Wilcox told The Iron Player: “It’s a good move for him.“I think he played half-an-hour on Saturday when they lost 3-0 [against Kings Lynn], but the manager has said he will play this Saturday. They have eight games left, and we have no reserve football left, so it’s good for his development.”
Hornsey’s temporary switch to West Yorkshire continues a growing trend of United players linking up with the Blues, and Wilcox added: “We’ve used them a few times now.
“My lad plays there as well so it’s a good contact, and a good level. Callum Howe went there last year, as did Jamie [Wootton], so you try and move them up to the next level afterwards as part of their development.”
Another Iron youngster to feature for Frickley this campaign is left-back George Grayson, who enjoyed a brief stint with the club from the end of January.
Although Grayson returned to Glanford Park soon after, Wilcox remained satisfied with the move, and said: “It’s not that it didn’t work, as he played some games.
“Their normal left-back got back from injury, so that was the thought process behind the decision of the Frickley manager [Karl Rose]. George did well there, and the feedback was good.
“We just keep developing these players, and hopefully keep improving them.”
See much more from Russ Wilcox and Marcus Williams on The Iron Player.