CITY boss Steve Castle is hoping new loan signing Soloman Shields can bring a bit of League One class to his depleted squad. Castle has used his contacts to secure Shields on a one-month loan from Leyton Orient, with the midfielder expected to go strai

CITY boss Steve Castle is hoping new loan signing Soloman Shields can bring a "bit of League One" class to his depleted squad.

Castle has used his contacts to secure Shields on a one-month loan from Leyton Orient, with the midfielder expected to go straight into the City team for Saturday's game with AFC Wimbledon.

"Soloman breaks things up, gets around the pitch and he keep's it simple," Castle told the Herts Advertiser. "I'd like to think that he'll bring a bit of League One class with him and lots of confidence.

"Soloman is on the fringes of the first team at Leyton Orient and my good pal at Orient, Kevin Nugent, who has been their caretaker manager, has decided it would be more beneficial for him to get first team football than sit on the fringes.

"It's been said to him that if he does well here it could rejuvenate things back at his club.

"Since Luke Thurlbourne has gone, there has been a bit of a void in midfield. That's not to say that the lads that have come in haven't done well but, with James Fisher in midfield, we've been a bit light at right back.

"Soloman gives me a couple of choices, maybe a third man in midfield or take one of them out and drop them into a more familiar position."

Castle is hopeful that defender Ryan Frater will be fit for Saturday's clash with league leaders AFC Wimbledon.

Frater has been on the sidelines since injuring his left hamstring during the 3-2 defeat at home to Welling United, but Castle says the former Hitchin man is close to recovering.

"Ryan is making steady progress. We had a training session of sorts last night (Wednesday) and he came through that. I'm hopeful that he'll make it for Saturday because we're missing Ben Martin and James Fisher.