STAN TERNENT believes both parties will benefit from Liam Dickinson’s loan switch from Derby County to Town.
The 22-year-old striker has signed an initial month-long deal, and the Galpharm boss who spent part of last season as assistant to Paul Jewell at Pride Park is delighted to have added to his attacking options.
Former non-league player Dickinson’s prolific form for Stockport County –35 goals in 68 starts and 38 further appearances from the bench – persuaded Jewell to part with £750,000 as he rebuilt a Derby squad which suffered relegation from the Premier League in May.
But he always knew it was likely to take time to prepare the former Bolton Wanderers and Blackburn Rovers junior player, who has a three-year Rams contract, for the challenge of the Championship.
“It’s a big step up from League II, where Liam was playing, and Paul has assembled a strong squad at Derby,” said Ternent, who landed Accrington Stanley midfielder Ian Craney in a £200,000-plus deal 24 hours earlier and is set to include both new arrivals in the squad for Saturday’s home League I meeting with MK Dons.
“I knew Paul viewed Liam as a great prospect, rather than the finished article, and I sounded him out early on about the prospect of a loan move.
“I’ve watched Liam’s development since he signed for Stockport (for £2,000 from non-league neighbours Woodley Sports in December 2005), and I think he’s got great potential.
“Liam is a tall lad who is good in the air but also mobile, and he holds the ball up well, and I’m sure he’ll respond to the challenge of League I football.
“Paul rung me on Monday and said he thought Liam would benefit from playing for us, and I agreed.
“He’ll be playing in a good stadium in front of good crowds who have a high expectation level, and I think he’ll enjoy himself here.
“He had a great season last time, scoring 21 times to help Stockport win promotion to League I, and he wants to maintain that momentum.
“He also has a big incentive to perform for us because he knows the people at Derby will be watching.
“Paul Jewell has done us a favour by loaning Liam.
“But he knows I’ll look after him and do my best to teach him while he’s here.
“It’s for a month initially, but hopefully Liam will like us and Derby will like what we’re doing with him, and when the time comes, we’ll talk about an extension.”
Dickinson, who will wear No29, joins existing strikers Andy Booth, Danny Cadamarteri, Luke Beckett, Keigan Parker, Phil Jevons and Danny Broadbent on the Town roster.
If he play’s against MK Dons, it will be his first competitive game since scoring at Wembley when Stockport beat Rochdale 3-2 in the League II play-off final in May.
Derby, who loaned winger Gary Teale to Barnsley last week, have completed the temporary signing of Arsenal midfielder Nacer Barazite.
The Dutch Under 21 midfielder scored Arsenal’s winner in their 2-1 triumph over Town in the recent centenary celebration match at the Galpharm.
