VALLEY boss Chris Powell has ruled out a January loan exit for Cedric Evina.

The defender has found first team opportunities limited so far since his summer switch from Oldham, prompting speculation he might have been allowed to make a temporary switch next month to get some game time.

However, Powell was quick to reject the suggestion when it was put to him at his weekly press conference this morning.

“No, because I’ve only got one left-back if he goes and I want two players in each position,” the SE7 manager said.

“Sadly for him Rhoys Wiggins has been doing ever so well.

“He will have to be patient, he is only young having just turned 20.

“I’ve got a lot of hopes for Cedric, I think he has got some good qualities.

“Of course he would like to play but I think he knows he has got a battle on his hands with Rhoys.

“Rhoys has performed ever so well but I know if Rhoys comes out for whatever reason, Cedric goes straight in and he has performed well in the games that he has played.

“I see him having a future here, so it would be madness for me to let him go and then something happens to Rhoys.”

Mikel Alonso is another summer signing who has struggled to make an impact so far, mainly dues to injuries according to Powell.

The boss added: “Alonso has just started back training.

“It has been a real tough time with Mikel because whenever he has been fit, he has played one or two reserve games to get himself up to speed and then he has got injured.

“Things have been real stop-start for Mikel.

“He needs to train and play for a good two or three weeks before we can think about what happens with Mikel.”

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