Lincoln City announced two signings last week with midfielder Billy Knott and striker Dayle Southwell joining the club on loan deals.
Following on from Josh Ginnelly’s arrival from Burnley just a few days before, Danny Cowley has delved deeper into the loan market to add Knott from Gillingham until the end of the season, and reacted quickly to Theo Robinson’s departure by bringing in Southwell from Wycombe Wanderers for a month.
A former Chelsea youngster, Knott also spent time at Sunderland but found himself loaned out regularly to benefit from first team football at the likes of AFC Wimbledon and Port Vale.
After his time at the Stadium of Light he joined Bradford City, and played in the Bantams side that beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the FA Cup two seasons ago.
He joined Gillingham in the summer, but won’t be able to repeat his FA Cup triumphs with the Imps having played in the Gills side that lost to Brackley Town in the first round.
On Knott’s arrival, Cowley said: “Billy can be whatever he wants to be.
“He’s a fantastically talented footballer and he’s left footed, which gives us a nice balance in the squad. We’re really lucky to have him.
“He and I go way back to when he was a young kid. The exciting thing for us is that Billy, as yet, hasn’t yet reached what he’s capable of. He’s come in here having had lots and lots of offers during the window to go on permanent moves elsewhere but he feels this is the best place for him at this time.
“I think the fans will love him.”
Meanwhile, Southwell is no stranger to Lincolnshire having spent the majority of his career with Grimsby Town and Boston United. He scored over 50 times for The Pilgrims before joining Wycombe in the summer, but has been sidelined by a groin problem since September.
Having now returned to full fitness, Chairboys boss Gareth Ainsworth wants him to get minutes under his belt for the next month and offer competition for places in their attack upon his return.
Southwell made a goal-scoring debut for the Imps, as he notched a goal against Welling in the FA Trophy this weekend.
Unlike Knott and Ginnelly, Southwell will be eligible to play in Lincoln’s FA Cup tie at Burnley in a fortnight. His loan deal runs until Thursday 2nd March.