Garner delighted to boost his midfield options with McCormick loan signing

BRISTOL Rovers manager Ben Garner hopes he’s found the answer to his need for extra midfield depth with the arrival of Luke McCormick on a season-long loan from Premier League Chelsea.

Garner hopes the 21-year-old will provide some extra offensive punch from midfield.

McCormick made five appearances on loan with Shrewsbury Town last season, so does possess some experience of League One football and has played for Chelsea Under-21s in the EFL Trophy.

It’s the second time the Gas have signed a Chelsea player this year after bringing in goalkeeper Jamal Blackman in January following Anssi Jaakkola’s shoulder injury, with Gas president Wael Al-Qadi holding close links with the Blues.

“We are delighted to welcome Luke to the football club,” said Rovers manager Garner. “He is a midfielder that has great energy, is

Luke McCormick, left, in action for Chelsea Under-21s

forward-thinking and has an eye for goal.

“Speaking to both the academy and first-team staff at Chelsea, it is clear Luke is highly thought of both as a player and as a character.

“We would like to thank Chelsea for their cooperation with the loan move and we look forward to Luke helping us this season.”

McCormick has been with Chelsea since 2005 but is yet to make a first-team appearance for the Blues. He has been training with the first team under Frank Lampard and was involved in pre-season.

McCormick is a box-to-box style midfielder who can break up play and drive forward and gives the Gas greater options in the middle of the park.

Garner had prioritised midfield depth throughout this transfer window and had former Southend midfielder Jack Bridge and exPortsmouth player Adam May on trial, but declined against signing them long-term.

McCormick will now provide back-up and competition to firstchoice pairing Josh Grant and Zain Westbrooke with the potential theory that if he can fulfil the No 8 role, it will allow the latter to become more of a playmaker.

It also raises the possibility of one of Lucas Tomlinson or Tom Mehew potentially leaving on loan to gain greater first-team experience.