Cheltenham Town are closing in on a late loan deal for young Barnsley defender Jack Shepherd for the remainder of the season, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke via a post on X.
The 22-year-old signed for Barnsley in the summer of 2023 from Ponterfract Colleries but having made just nine appearances for the Tykes this season, the young defender is set to see-out the remainder of the 2023-24 season in Gloucestershire with a move to fellow League One club Cheltenham Town for the remainder of the season.
Cheltenham currently find themselves in the middle of a relegation battle in the third tier, sat in 22nd. Now seven points from safety, wins are needed more than ever in order to fire them up the table and out of the relegation zone. Fans will be hoping that the signing of Shepherd can do just that during his time with the club.
Having turned professional following his switch to Barnsley, Shepherd has found consistent minutes in his first professional season difficult to come by since his switch from Pontefract Colleries – starting six matches and playing a total of 592 minutes in the third tier under Neill Collins.
This move does not look to be the only outgoing at Oakwell today, with Kacper Lopata and Callum Styles set to make moves away according to reports from Andy Giddings via a post on X.
Shepherd’s departure alongside other reported moves will leave Collins short of defensive options, it will be interesting to see whether Barnsley are plotting for any defensive acquisitions before the winter deadline, with currents reports stating that Barnsley are wanting a midfielder and a forward before the end of the window.
However, for Cheltenham, Shepherd will join other defensive incomings this January, having also signed Andy Smith on loan from Hull City earlier this month as Darrell Clarke seeks to improve the Robins’ bid for survival in League One. Shepherd should in turn see an increase in minutes during his spell in Gloucester which could come in handy upon his return to Oakwell.
Writer’s View
This move could prove astute for all parties as Shepherd is clearly rated highly enough by Barnsley to have turned professional at the club this summer. The opportunity of regular gametime in League One could be crucial for the young defender’s career as he could potentially pave himself into Barnsley’s plans for next season.
However, Barnsley currently remain short of options defensively, it will be interesting to see whether any late defensive acquisitions will be made after it being reported that the Tykes are in the market for a forward and midfielder already. It’s perhaps a position that they want to look at quickly if they do have play-off ambitions this season.
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