Phil Babb is hopeful Crystal Palace and Oxford United will be sympathetic after three postponements in seven days have meant the Hayes & Yeading boss has been unable to give debuts to his new loan signings.
United manager Babb has dipped into the loan market following the departures of top scorer Jake Reid and fans’ favourite Louis Soares in an effort to breathe new life to his thinning squad at Kingfield.
Aiden Hawtin has arrived from the Us and Derek Tieku has come in from Premier League side Palace after impressing Babb in an U21 fixture, however both are still waiting to make their United bows after being frustrated by mother nature.
The duo are in line to make their first Hayes & Yeading appearances at Concord Rangers on Saturday, however the clock has already been ticking down on their month-long stays with the Conference South outfit.
Babb says the youngsters have impressed in training and is excited about seeing them in first-team action, but already has one eye on loan extensions for the pair and reckons their parent clubs will be open to a longer spell, given the recent lack of game-time.
“We’re looking to freshen things up and Aiden is only young but is a dynamic player with great technique,” Babb said. “If he works hard then he’ll get his opportunity. Derek Tieku is still with us and it’s just unfortunate that there’s been no games. He’s a very good player who I watched for Palace U21s against Fulham and he shone in that game. He’s a smaller forward to add to the bigger lads we’ve got up there.
“I think both Oxford and Palace will be sympathetic that the games have been called off and we’d hope that we’d be able to extend those loans. There’s no substitute for playing against men when there’s more at stake. When you’re playing in a league, vying for a play-off place, it’s sink or swim. They don’t sink or swim at development level. I wouldn’t say it’s pressure but the motivation is certainly different.”
United’s trip to Gosport last night was the latest fixture to fall victim to the weather, however conditions are set to improve later in the week and some football could finally be played this weekend.
