Words John Edwards

Phil Parkinson has made a timely move to reinforce Altrincham's injury-disrupted defensive ranks by snapping up highly-rated Blackpool centre-back Dan Sassi on loan for the rest of the calendar year.

The towering 21-year old defender was described as "the perfect match" for Alty's needs by the Robins boss after meeting and training with his new team-mates and going straight into contention for a place in our eagerly-anticipated Enterprise National League opener with Aldershot Town at The J.Davidson Stadium tomorrow (3pm).

It was a potential dilemma for the gaffer, as he assessed the gradual progress towards fitness of Jake Cooper, Billy Sass-Davies and Lewis Baines, but he is confident he has come up with the ideal solution after securing the services of Uttoxeter-born Dan, who will wear shirt number 34, until the New Year.

"I'm really pleased to have got Dan in on loan," he said. "Everyone can see we are a little bit depleted in that area at the moment, with a few players having knocks and niggles.

"It has meant we have had to move into the loan market, and Dan, at 21 and with the experience he has had and how close he has been to the first team at Blackpool this pre-season, is perfect for what we need right now.

"His skill-set suits us and so does his background at Burnley and the style of football he was brought up to produce under Vincent Kompany before moving on to Blackpool. When you also consider the successful loans he has had since, the development he has gone through and will hopefully continue here, it just feels like a perfect match at the right time."

Those loans Phil referred to came after Dan, who started out at Stoke City's Academy and then captained Burnley's under-21s, joined Blackpool in February last year.

He had two spells with Rochdale, the second being interrupted when he was recalled to make his senior Blackpool debut against Aston Villa under-21s in the Vertu Trophy, and one with AFC Fylde, and it was during those two loans that he was asked to describe his approach to defending.

"I like to communicate on the pitch, so I enjoyed my time captaining Burnley under-21s," he said. "I like to think I'm on the front foot and aggressive as a defender, but if we need to play as well, I can do that.

"I wear my heart on my sleeve and always give 100 per cent. I think I can help with playing out from the back, because I am comfortable on the ball. But I do like the other side of the game as well, the basics. Defending, putting your body on the line - I love all that."

As he familiarised himself with new surroundings and new team-mates at Alty's Egerton training centre, the 6ft 3in central defender added: ""I'm really happy to be here and looking forward to the season starting this weekend. Alty feels like a good fit for me and everyone has been extremely welcoming."

Let us add to that warm welcome, Dan, by wishing you every success in Alty colours in the coming months.

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