Will The Loanees Stay Or Will They Go?

Goalkeeper Matt Yates Who Is On Loan From Derby

The news that George Lloyd is returning to Cheltenham after his loan spell at Edgar Street prompts the question how many of the other current loanees will return to their parent clubs when their current spells end.

Both Matt Yates and Ethan Wassall joined Hereford from Derby on October 12th. The loans were initially for one month but were extended for a further two months. Today is the last day either can play unless a further deal is agreed.

That seems unlikely for Wassall who hasn't featured recently. However goalkeeper Yates has been consistently selected over Martin Horsell despite the latter's return to fitness and so head of football Tim Harris may wish to keep him at Edgar Street for another spell if possible.

Defender Harvey Smith is another player whose loan to about to come to an end. He joined Hereford last August from parent club Bristol City was was made captain soon after the new management team took over.

However he suffered a head injury recently and has missed a couple of games.Smith is now back in the squad but not the starting eleven as the partnership between Josh Gowling and Jordan Liburd is preferred at present.

If he's not starting, will Bristol City want him to stay at Hereford or will they be happy for him to fight for his place at least for the time being.

Finally there's Kyle Finn who is on loan from Coventry. He joined on October 30th so it's assumed he will remain at Edgar Street until later this month at least.

Head coach Marc Richards has said that loan players can be a quick fix but ideally you need permanent players.

"In an ideal situation you bring in permanent players, but in terms of a quick fix sometimes you need loan players to add that extra little bit of competition and quality," Richards said at the end of last October.

"It also gives you a bit more flexibility, but I'm not concerned at the moment. We've got five in at the moment which is the maximum you can have in a match day squad so there won't be anymore coming in in the immediate future.

"We're always trying to improve the squad so whether that be permanent or loan signings and we'll continue to do so."

There may be news of both Matt Yates and Harvey Smith later today.