TOWN have signed 6ft 3in teenage Liverpool defender Martin Kelly until the end of the season.
And the 18-year-old England Under 19 cap will go straight into Lee Clark’s squad for the away League I double header against Hereford and Bristol Rovers.
The move on loan deadline day came as Joe Skarz joined Hartlepool until the end of the season and striker Keigan Parker extended his loan at Victoria Park – both are in the Pools squad at Southend tonight.
Former Galpharm captain Jon Worthington – who completes a two-match ban tomorrow for reaching 10 bookings – has been recalled from his loan spell at Yeovil.
Kelly, meanwhile, played as a substitute in Liverpool’s 3-1 Champions League victory at PSV Eindhoven, his only senior run-out to date, but he was in their team which won the reserve league last season.
He will wear No29 at Town and manager Clark is hoping he will re-produce the form which made him man-of-the-match for England’s youths against the Czech Republic on Tuesday night.
Clark, who knows Whiston-born Kelly can play at centre-back or right-back explained:
“We have been watching Martin during his games for England and the Liverpool Reserves and the reports we've received have been very good.
“He was outstanding for England Under 19s in their drawn friendly with the Czech Republic this week and he looks to have a very bright future in the game.
“I’m delighted to have him coming here for the rest of the season as it allows us to have a look at him with a view to a potential loan move in future.
“Martin is from the Liverpool school, so he is obviously comfortable on the ball, but he also has real pace and genuinely enjoys defending.”
