Livi test the water by bringing in two recruits

LIVINGSTON have completed a double swoop for ex-West Brom defender Jack Fitzwater and Slovenian striker Matej Poplatnik.

Fitzwater joins the Lions after leaving the Baggies at the end of last month without making a senior appearance for the club.

However, the 22-year-old did enjoy 43 outings over three loan spells at Walsall where he played alongside Livi duo Nicky Devlin and Jon Guthrie.

It is understood his relationship with the pair paved the way for his switch north.

Fitzwater has also turned out for Chesterfield, Hednesford and Forest Green Rovers during brief loan stints.

Poplatnik spent last season on loan with Hungarian outfit Kaposvari Rakoczi after falling out of favour with Kerala Blasters in India.

Meanwhile, Livi boss Gary Holt reckons the impact of the Covid-19 crisis has given clubs more power in transfer talks.

Scores of players are scrambling to find new employment after being released this summer.

With the Championship, League One and League Two not beginning until October 17, players will also need to secure a side in the top flight if they want to be kicking a ball again come August.

And Holt said: “It (the transfer market) has massively changed and a bit more power has come back to clubs. Since the Bosman ruling, that power has been with the players.

“Given the current situation, there are going to be even more players out there available who might, in other circumstances, not be willing to come in and train to win a deal.”