Cheltenham Town FC

Cheltenham Town defender Matthew Bower has joined National League South club Weston-Super-Mare FC on an initial one month loan.

The 19-year old centre-back has joined The Seagulls in order to gain some first team experience but will remain available to play for the reserve team if necessary.

Robins caretaker manager Russell Milton explained: "We thought it would be good to send Matt out on loan because he needs games.

"He is definitely ready to play at senior level so we will see how he fares. Weston will be a good one for him because they have been after him for a little while and they like to play out from the back, which is one of his strengths.

"We've got plenty of cover at the moment so it's not really fair to keep Matt around and he has probably needed this for a while so it will benefit him.

"Weston have got plenty of games coming up and it's a good standard of football so it will be ideal."

Bower, a 6ft 4ins left-footed defender who made his Football League debut last season, will go into the Weston-Super-Mare squad for their matches at home to Oxford City on Saturday and the local derby at Bath City on Bank Holiday Monday.