Gateshead have completed the signing of Middlesbrough midfielder Jack Stott on a one-month loan deal, as confirmed via a statement on the club’s website.
The 20-year-old has become the club’s latest reinforcement following a series of signings to try and strengthen the squad after the National League side bid farewell to the likes of Kyran Lofthouse, Stephen Wearne and Archie Mair whilst Ed Francis became the latest to sustain an injury.
Stott had made just six appearances in all competitions so far this season, before joining and making his debut for the club, currently under the caretaker management of Rob Elliott following Mike Williamson’s move to League Two side MK Dons.
Four of these appearances arrived for Middlesbrough’s U21s in the Premier League 2 campaign, whilst the other two arrived whilst on loan at fellow National League side York City. He featured during the club’s opening two league matches but didn’t play again.
The midfielder is known at youth level for having the ability to add goals and assists in the final third for his team, something that Rob Elliott’s side will lack over the next few weeks following Stephen Wearne’s departure to MK Dons.
Paperwork for the signing was completed in time for the midfielder to make his debut against league leaders Chesterfield. Unfortunately, Stott’s debut didn’t go to plan as the club were heavily beaten 5-0, but did play for the opening hour of the match.
As a result, Gateshead remain eighth in the National League standings, one point outside of the playoff places whilst having at least one game in hand on the majority of sides around them in the table.
Writer’s View
It has been a very tricky few weeks for Rob Elliott’s side, consisting of several injuries and first-team departures which have harmed the National League side as a whole, just when the club were looking likely to compete for the playoffs.
Stott on the other hand is a strong addition but is in desperate need of game-time, which is something he’s likely to get a lot of at the club over the next few weeks.