ACCRINGTON Stanley have extended Terry Gornell’s loan deal for a third month but Kallum Higginbotham’s stay at the Fraser Eagle Stadium is less certain.
Both attackers were not given permission by their parent clubs to play in the FA Cup but returned to produce impressive performances in Saturday’s 3-0 home win against Bournemouth.
It was Higginbotham’s first start for the club in the final game of his month’s loan from Rochdale, having arrived in October in search of first-team football after losing his place at Spotland.
The 19-year-old acknowledges he was unlucky that his arrival coincided with a rich vein of form for Reds wingers Jimmy Ryan and John Miles, who were both rested against Bournemouth after featuring in the FA Cup on Thursday and could return at Chesterfield next week.
John Coleman was set to have discussions with Rochdale over the weekend and Higginbotham is expected to meet Dale boss Keith Hill today to decide whether he will stay or return to Spotland. The latter looks more likely.
Higginbotham said: “I’m pleased now the start has come but obviously it is at the end of my loan spell. I would have liked to have got it a bit earlier.
“I’m going to and speak to Rochale, see what the situation is and then take it from there.”
If he does return to his parent club, Stanley will have until the loan deadline on November 27 to bring in another attacking player.
Gornell’s return to Rovers at the end of his stay would leave the Reds short of options up front until the transfer window opens.
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