CHERRIES midfielder Gavin Kilkenny has joined Fleetwood Town on loan for the rest of the season.

Kilkenny, who turns 24 today, has struggled for game-time this term, featuring just once under Andoni Iraola.

That came as a substitute in last week’s 5-0 FA Cup win over Swansea City. He was an unused substitute in tonight’s Premier League game at West Ham United.

But the Irishman, under contract until 2025, has now headed to League One to try and gain more match minutes.

Kilkenny, who joined Cherries as a teenager in 2016, made his senior debut against Forest Green Rovers in the EFL Cup under Eddie Howe in August 2019.

But he had to wait until the 2021-22 season for his first real chance, featuring regularly at the start of the Championship season following the arrival of Scott Parker as boss.

Kilkenny eventually fell out of favour and last season had loan spells at Stoke City and Charlton Athletic, neither going particularly to plan.

He has made a total of 25 competitive appearances for Cherries.

The Dubliner will now look to get his career back on track at Fleetwood, managed by former Liverpool midfielder Charlie Adam.

The Cod Army currently sit bottom of the third tier and host Port Vale on Saturday.