Cheltenham Town vs Accrington Stanley - Carl Winchester and Alex Pike land in Robins nest

Posted Friday, January 13, 2017 by PA

Cheltenham have further bolstered their squad with the signings of midfielder Carl Winchester and defender Alex Pike before hosting Accrington in Sky Bet League Two.

Winchester, 23, arrives on a free transfer from Oldham, while 19-year-old Pike comes on loan from Premier League side West Ham.

Goalkeeper Scott Brown, on loan from Wycombe, and defender Will Boyle, signed on a free transfer from Huddersfield, could both make their league debuts following their transfers on Monday.

Striker Amari Morgan-Smith and defender Dan Parslow have both gone on loan to Vanarama National League side York until the end of the season. Defender Asa Hall (Achilles) is still sidelined.

Defender Zak Vyner and midfielder John O'Sullivan's loan deals with Accrington have now ended and they have returned to their respective parent clubs Bristol City and Blackburn.

Stanley boss John Coleman has spoken about the possibility of both men returning, but it looks unlikely - certainly in the case of Vyner - that it would be in time for them to play at Cheltenham.

Chris Eagles has left the club as well having reached the end of his contract, with Port Vale on Wednesday announcing he had joined them.

And Gary Taylor-Fletcher's time with Accrington is also set to end before Saturday's game.