Midfielder James Blanchfield has joined Vanarama National League Aldershot Town on loan, Blues boss Mick McCarthy has confirmed.

The 20-year-old Southend-born former Arsenal youngster travelled with the first team squad to Wolves due to the lack of fit midfield players but wasn’t included in the matchday 18 and is still to make his senior debut.

“He’s going to Aldershot,” McCarthy said at his pre-match press conference at lunchtime.

“I guess he’s going to replace Adam McDonnell, although whether he goes straight in or not I don’t know, he’s had injuries as well but he’s now getting fit.

“He’s been training with us, he’s trained really well with the first team and Gary Waddock rang and asked if he could take him and I said, ‘Yes, I’d be delighted’. He’s not at first team level yet.”

Like McDonnell, also 20, who was recalled before Christmas having been with the Shots since August along with defender George Fowler who is still with the Hampshire side, Blanchfield’s loan will be assessed on a month-to-month basis with his initial spell running to Sunday 28th January.

McCarthy says McDonnell, who has been on the bench for the last two matches, has come back from Aldershot, where he made 17 appearances and scored four goals, a better player.

“Physically he looks really fit, as he would do, playing at that level, they’re tough games,” he added. “And just with the ball I would say his confidence and how he looks, the things he does, his composure with the ball has improved definitely.”

Photo: TWTD

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