Mansfield Town

Youngster heads to Keys Park in order to get senior experience.

Young midfielder Jack Thomas has joined Hednesford Town on a month-long loan.

The 18-year-old is eligible to go into the Pit Men’s squad for their home fixture against Gainsborough Trinity in the Vanarama North on Saturday.

Thomas is a graduate from our highly-successful academy set-up, where he skippered our youth team for two seasons.

The tenacious and tough-tackling playmaker, who has been a regular at reserve team level, made his senior bow as a substitute in a 3-0 victory over Rochdale last season.

Thomas is eligible to stay at Keys Park until Tuesday 20 January.

Hednesford currently occupy 11th position in the Vanarama North – seven points adrift of the play-off spots, but nine points above the drop zone.

Manager Adam Murray said:  “I have worked closely with Jack over the last few years and he is somebody who I rate very highly. At the minute, I don’t believe it is the right time, with the position in which he plays, to give him the responsibility of a first 11 place in our team.

“He is somebody who I see being part of Mansfield Town in future years and the continued run of competitive game time over the next month will be huge in his development.”