Defender Hutchinson makes loan move to Ilkeston
CHELTENHAM Town left wing-back Reece Hutchinson has joined Ilkeston Town on a three-month loan deal.
The 22-year-old is yet to feature for the Robins this term.
He made six appearances during the second half of last season after joining from Burton Albion in January, including the creditable 0-0 draw at Ipswich Town and the 1-0 home win over Portsmouth.
But after featuring regularly in Cheltenham’s pre-season friendlies this summer, Hutchinson appeared to fall down the pecking order, with Ben Williams and Lewis Freestone both ahead of him in the left wing-back position.
When Will Ferry arrived from Southampton in August to provide competition for Williams and allow Freestone to play regularly at left centre-back, it became clear Hutchinson was not going to feature.
“Reece just needs to play and get back into the rhythm of playing Saturday, Tuesday,” said Cheltenham head coach Wade Elliott.
“It’ll give him the best opportunity to showcase his potential. In fairness to Reece, he’s probably not done that for two years.
“He came to us off the back of an injury, and he had a little spell when he wasn’t contracted and since he’s been with us he hasn’t been able to play Saturday, Tuesday. It’ll do him a lot of good.”
Ilkeston, who compete in Southern League Premier Division Central, the third tier of non-league football, lie 18th in the table after seven games.