Striker Lloyd could be set for a loan move
CHELTENHAM Town forward George Lloyd could be set for a loan move to National League club Dover Athletic.
The Robins academy product delivered an impressive performance in the Robins’ EFL Trophy group stage win at Newport County.
Lloyd, 20, started in a front three alongside Reuben Reid and Alex Addai, but ended up filling in at left wing-back in the latter stages at Rodney Parade.
Reid’s header secured a 1-0 success for Michael Duff’s team and Lloyd fed Will Boyle, whose fine cross from the left was nodded in by Reid in the 70th minute.
Lloyd, who is from Gloucester, also went on from the bench in last Saturday’s 1-0 Carabao Cup first round win at Peterborough United.
I thought he was excellent on Tuesday night, so we need to make a decision on Lloydy,” said manager Michael Duff.
“He is the long term future here and he still has two years left on his contract.
“The work that’s being put into him constantly and he’s taking it all on and his gym work and things like that.
“He did have a poor year last year, which he knows and we told him about that and it’s our fault as well as his because he did slip through the cracks.
“We need to make the right decision for the football club and for him and get the balance right of how we do that and we go about that.”
Lloyd has scored three goals in nine League Two starts for Cheltenham since making his Football League debut in January 2018, along with one goal in the EFL Trophy against West Ham United Under-21s in last season’s 4-3 home victory.
Lloyd also spent time time on loan at National League North club Hereford in 2018/19.
He reported back for pre-season this summer fitter and stronger than ever, but he faces a battle for first team football due to Duff’s range of attacking options, which includes Reid, Addai, Alfie May, summer signing Andy Williams and Tahvon Campbell, although the latter is out of favour also looks likely to be loaned out.
Dover, who are managed by Andy Hessenthaler, finished 12th last term. They start the new National League campaign at home to Notts County on October 3.
Cheltenham loaned left wing-back Josh Debayo to the Kent club two seasons ago.