Cheltenham Town: Hibbert poised to earn Robins deal
JORDAN Hibbert is set to become Cheltenham Town boss Mark Yates' fifth new signing of the summer ahead of tomorrow's Capital One Cup first round tie against MK Dons.
But the former Chelsea and QPR youth team midfielder is unlikely to feature in the opener due to the club requiring international clearance after his spell with Portuguese club Farense last season.
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Jordan Hibbert
Hibbert has been with Cheltenham since making his first friendly appearance as a substitute at Port Talbot on July 24.
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The 21-year-old had to wait until last Tuesday night for his first start, impressing in the Robins' 2-1 win at Solihull Moors and he may have done enough to earn himself a contract.
Yates is also set to make a decision on young former Everton goalkeeper Connor Roberts, who also made his first start against Solihull.
"We need a goalkeeper and I will make a decision by the weekend," Yates said.
"I would like one more player in between now and then end of the transfer window (August 31) and I am waiting for the right one so we'll see if it comes along, but if we think the right one is already in building, we'll do what we think is right.
"If Jordan is offered something it's unlikely he'll be able to play tomorrow because of international clearance."
Yates admitted his side could not have been handed a tougher draw in the League Cup as they face the Dons at the first round stage for the second season in succession.
"If anything they will be better and have more quality than they had last year, so it will be a good guide for us," Yates said.
"The pressure is off, but we'll certainly be treating it seriously because we want to progress.
"But we can use it for our fitness levels and for players to get to know each other better, gearing up to the League Two campaign."
Cheltenham's opening league fixture is at home to Dagenham and Redbridge a week tomorrow.
Yates has added Sam Deering, Billy Jones and Chris Zebroski to his squad on two-year deals, with striker Shaun Harrad arriving on a season-long loan from Bury.
All four are expected to make their competitive debuts tomorrow.
"It was good to see Shaun score at Solihull and Chris Zebroski looks a real handful," Yates said.
"Sam and Billy have done well so I am happy with where we are."
Jeff Goulding missed training yesterday due to a cut on his ankle picked up against Solihull, but the striker was expected to be fit to join in with today's final preparations for the match.
Yates has no other fitness concerns and is expected to play a 4-2-3-1 formation.
His main selection decision is likely to be whether to pick Zebroski or Jermaine McGlashan on the right wing, with Harrad favourite to start as the central striker.
Comments
by CheltRobin
Sunday, August 12 2012, 11:54AM
“Don't know anything about Hibber apart from he's young and played in Portugal's 4th tier with Farense, who he helped get promted back the 3rd tier.
MY obviously hopes he is 1 for the future - it will be a tough 1st season for him at Chelt trying to disloge Penn, Pack + Deering from their midfield positions. Gues he'll get an opportunty to show what he can do in the Paint Pot Trophy - as Hooman did last season.”