BASHLEY look set to bolster their squad ahead of tomorrow’s tricky trip to Barwell (3pm) after agreeing a loan deal for Portsmouth midfielder George Colson.

The Isle of Wight-based 19-year-old, who earned three caps for Wales at under-16 level, is set to sign for an initial month, joining fellow Pompey man Elliot Wheeler at the Recreation Ground.

The move comes shortly after the first-year professional ended a two-month stay with Dorchester Town in the Conference South, making three appearances for Phil Simkin’s Magpies and scoring in their Dorset Senior Cup defeat at Wimborne Town.

On the latest addition, Bash boss Frank Gray told the Daily Echo: “We have a lot of games coming up and felt we needed to make the squad bigger, but we’ve been waiting to find the quality to really improve.

“We heard of George’s availability and we’re delighted to bring him in. He scores goals from the middle of the park and likes to get in and around the box. We’re confident he can make an impact.”

Gray will be hoping Colson and the rest of his charges can hit the ground running after two weeks without a match in a tough clash with the in-form Canaries.

Bash, who are winless in six, face a Barwell side that trounced them 5-0 on home soil in September and have won their last three outings.

Gray added: “We cannot look back at that result. Both teams are different now and every game I have experienced at this level is different to the last. Although they are a strong side, we must go there with a positive attitude and believe in what we are doing. I am far more interested in focussing on how we perform.”

Bashley have no injury concerns going into the match with Wheeler, Andy Jenkinson and James Stokoe all set to return.

Bash: (from) Moore, Strickland, Oliver, Stephenson, Middleton, Richardson, Casey, Gradwell, Foster, Finlay, Hill, Gamble, Knight, Gazzard, Stokoe, Jenkinson, Wheeler, Colson, Kearn.