Cheltenham Town FC

The 22-year-old’s last start for his parent club came in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy tie against Leyton Orient on September 2, with seven subsequent substitute appearances in League One.

The attacking midfield player will go straight into Cheltenham’s team to face Wycombe Wanderers at Whaddon Road on Saturday.

“I realised at my age I need to be playing games, so when I heard Cheltenham were interested in taking me on loan, I thought ‘why not?’ 

“It’s a good club and I want to get back to playing football again, so we’ll see how training goes and hopefully I can get into the team and have a good time here.”

Ferdinand is capable of operating in several different positions, but it is in an attacking central midfield role that he feels most comfortable.

“I prefer to be in the middle, maybe just ahead of the midfield two, but I will play wherever I am needed,” he said.

“I hope I can bring goals if I can get into the team, but I can get about the pitch and I am looking forward to getting in there.”

Ferdinand consulted his Peterborough team mate and ex-Robins star Grant McCann about Cheltenham before agreeing to make the switch.

“Macca said it’s a great, well supported club and and generally a good place to play, so I am looking forward to it,” Ferdinand said.

“I saw the recent result against Swindon in the FA Cup (5-0 win) and it’s exciting to be involved.”

Ferdinand has been cleared to play in the FA Cup for Cheltenham, with a home second round tie against Dover Athletic to look forward to on Sunday, December 7.

“The games will come thick and fast before Christmas now, so I want to stay injury free and get a lot of appearances under my belt,” he said.

“I haven’t played much football recently, but I am fairly fit naturally so I am ready to go straight into the side.

“I don’t know any of the lads here, but I have played against most of them so hopefully we can get a relationship on and off the pitch quickly.”