Cheltenham Town have secured a loan move in the dying hours of Deadline Day, according to reports.
Michael Flynn’s side have been forced into a rebuild this season following their relegation from League One. Town have so far made 17 signings, the most recent being Sam Stubbs on loan from Bradford City.
According to Gloucestershire Live’s Jon Palmer, that figure is about to change with yet another temporary deal with Norwich City‘s Lewis Shipley. The defender has previously played in the fourth tier with Accrington Stanley.
He made a total of 31 appearances at the Wham Stadium in what was a mixed season for the club as they sacked long-time manager John Coleman. They ended in 17th place in a season where they returned to League Two after five years.
Shipley can play both left-back and centre-back and emerged through the academy at Carrow Road. He has recently been featuring for the Norfolk side in the Premier League 2, making appearances against West Bromwich Albion and Nottingham Forest in the middle of the pitch.
Flynn has run a back three system, with the most recent defence consisting of Stubbs, Ibrahim Bakare and Levi Laing in a 1-0 loss at home to AFC Wimbledon. Tom Bradbury is the only other senior central defender at The Robins, but is subject to interest from Yeovil Town.
Palmer has added that another, as yet unknown player will also arrive at Whaddon Road before the window shuts at 11pm tonight. Other outgoings include goalkeeper Max Harris, who will head to Weston-Super-Mare.
Writer’s View
It has been a summer of change in Gloucestershire and the deadline day will reflect that with two new incoming before the window shuts. Lewis Shipley is an experienced player at this level and will be a useful signing. Whilst he won’t fit into the system at left-wing back, should a change to a back four come necessary, that adaptability will come in handy.
Town are still in a very tough situation this season. The main aim for them is to gain a stable footing based on the heavy battering they took last season. Once they lay that foundation, the push towards reclaiming a place in League One can begin.
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