Words John Edwards

Josh Grant met his new Altrincham team-mates for the first time at our Egerton training ground this morning - and once the introductions were completed, both he and Neil Gibson spoke to the media team about his loan move from Carlisle United.

The 27-year old from Brixton is with us for the rest of the season, and he brings with him a wealth of experience after spending more than a decade at Chelsea's Academy and making over 100 appearances for Plymouth Argyle and Bristol Rovers as well as being capped by England under-18s and under-20s.

He is well known to Neil after playing 24 times for Wealdstone last season, prior to joining Carlisle six months ago, and the Robins gaffer welcomed him to The J.Davidson Stadium by saying:

"I'm really pleased to have reached an agreement for the loan signing of Josh. He is a player I worked with previously at Wealdstone and is someone who is very aware of what is needed on and off the pitch.

"He sets really high standards in and around the training ground and on match days out in the middle. He is a leader. He speaks, organises and communicates well with the rest of the group, and he plays in a number of positions, mainly as a holding central midfielder but also as a defender in the middle of a back four or back three.

"So, he adds real competition for places across the squad. He has a high level of quality and a really good pedigree, having come through the youth ranks at Chelsea and played for England at different age levels.

"He is someone whose previous coaches and managers think of very highly - I know that during his time at Bristol Rovers, the coaching staff held him in high regard.

"I saw first-hand the influence he had on Wealdstone staying in the National League last season, so I'm really keen to work with him again and grateful we have been able to secure this loan move. I'm looking forward to our fans being able to see what he can bring to us between now and the end of the season."

Thanks Neil, now over to Josh, whose AltyTV interview can be accessed below.