Speaking on Andrew Boyce’s loan move to Grimsby Town, manager Russ Wilcox stated it was “right for all parties” in allowing the defender regular game time.
And with Callum Howe’s loan at Gainsborough now exceeding 28 days, which means he can be recalled at any time, the Iron boss insisted it was the right time to allow the player to pick up minutes on the football pitch, without his own side falling short in reserve.“Again, it’s a good move for all parties – Andrew, ourselves and Grimsby,” he told The Iron Player.
“He needs to go out and play some football. It’s been difficult for him to break into the team. Certainly at centre-half position, the two lads in there have been magnificent all season and touch wood, they stay injury free.
“I’ve been really pleased with how he’s integrated into the group.
"He’s a smashing lad with a really good attitude and hopefully he’ll go over there and perform well.
"Paul Hurst said he will go straight into the team tomorrow night, which is great and that’s what he needs with only one reserve game left.”
He added: “It is a bit of a gamble because for 28 days you can’t do anything with them. But we feel as though we’re fully covered in that area with Luke Waterfall and we also have a call-back on Callum Howe’s loan with Gainsborough.
He joins fellow teammate Connor Jennings at Blundell Park, who was buoyed by netting his first Mariners goal at the weekend – ironically against the side who he was loaned to earlier in the season; Macclesfield Town.
“It’s interesting that,” continued Wilcox.
“I spoke to Connor on Friday and said it would be a great time to get your Grimsby career up and running. I certainly fancied him to score and would have had a bet on him if we were allowed to.
“It didn’t surprise me that he scored and I spoke to Paul Hurst (Grimsby manager) with regards to how he played and he did really well after his first game. He is just getting back up to speed and he was also very unfortunate not to have a penalty awarded for a foul against him. He ended up getting a yellow card instead which takes him up to eight yellows.”
He added: “Paul Hurst is delighted with him. He’s got another game tomorrow and all he’s going to do is get better.”
Curtis Bateson made a loan move to Gainsborough Trinity early last week, making an instant impression in netting a debut goal in their 3-1 away win at the weekend, something which pleased Wilcox as he nears the end of his two year scholarship.
He said: “It was a terrific goal. I watched it on YouTube and it was a terrific bit of composure to lift it over the keeper. It was a great start for him and he’s probably the first YT we’ve sent out on loan. I’m not a great fan of doing that, but he’s coming towards the end and he’s played a lot of reserve team football.
“He’s developed and matured and he needed to go out and play some men’s football. It’s a great start for him. All I can say is he’s done really well with his development.”
He added: “It’s another step in getting him ready to play meaningful football where points are at stake.”
See much more from Russ Wilcox and Sam Winnall on The Iron Player from Tuesday morning.