St Albans City joint managers James Gray and Graham Golds have managed to secure the services of Dagenham and Redbridge loanee Ian Gayle for another month.
The deal is yet to be confirmed, but Gray said it would be completed ahead of this weekend’s home match against Concord Rangers.
Speaking after Tuesday night’s 3-2, come from behind win over Hadley in the Herts Senior Cup, Gray said: “He’s been outstanding for us. He’s got natural pace that can cover other centre-halves and since he came in we’ve kept a few clean sheets.”
Another month also gives Gray and Golds time to assess their defence while James Kaloczi, who is back from his two-month loan spell at Wingate and Finchley, gets up to speed and Darren Locke recovers from injury.
In Omar Beckles, Gray sees a replacement for Gayle when his three-month loan is finally up.
“Another month will see us right while I look and see whether we need to strengthen and, possibly, for a permanent signing,” he said.
“Omar Beckles didn’t put a foot wrong [against Hadley] and he is a ready-made replacement if and when Gayle returns to Dagenham.”
Gayle and Beckles could be in line to start at the heart of the defence on Saturday after Darren Locke sat out Tuesday’s win over Hadley.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here