Sutton United have announced via club media the signing of Stephen Duke-McKenna on loan from Queens Park Rangers until the end of the season.
New Sutton United manager Steve Morison is continuing to bolster his side, this time with the signing of the exciting Duke-McKenna. The 23-year-old joins the League Two outfit until the end of the season with the hopes of helping them to survival.
Sutton have quietly seen improvements in recent weeks and are beginning to look more competitive in the league. Those said improvements have very much coincided with Morison coming in as the new manager.
Unbeaten in their last three, albeit all draws, the U’s are looking like they are almost back to their best. That was highlighted by a 1-1 draw with high-flyers Mansfield on Tuesday night. Fans will be hoping that the positive momentum can be continued into their visit to Walsall on Saturday.
Now just five points from safety with a game in hand over 22nd-placed Colchester United, the South London side will be looking to move out of the relegation zone in the coming weeks.
Duke-McKenna should be able to aid that cause and the midfielder brings prior EFL experience to Gander Green Lane. The versatile-midfielder has appeared for QPR five times in the Championship this season as well as enjoying a spell on loan with Leyton Orient last season.
Although he may be struggling to break into the QPR team, a loan move to Sutton should give the midfielder an opportunity to stake a claim when he does return to Loftus Road.
With his contract expiring in the summer, it will be an important spell for Duke-McKenna and one where he must prove his worth in the professional game to secure a future either at his parent club, or somewhere else in the EFL.
Writer’s View
Steve Morison is rather quietly putting quite a good squad together at Sutton and the signing of Duke-McKenna only adds to that. It is expected that the Guyanan international will give his all for the club, with his contract with the R’s expiring in the summer.
If able to turn their draws into wins, their is a strong chance that Sutton may cause a bit of an upset and stay up this season. The players have shown fight in recent weeks which has been synonymous with the club ever since they joined the EFL. That underdog mentality will be put to good use in the second half of the season and should improve their survival chances.
Senior Editor
