BURTON Albion have signed Chelsea goalkeeper Brad Collins on loan until January 2.
The 21-year-old joined the London club at Under 12 level and got valuable experience last season on loan at Forest Green Rovers.
The Brewers have moved for a keeper after Stephen Bywater suffered a shoulder injury in the Carabao Cup tie with Aston Villa on Tuesday.
Nigel Clough said: “We are still awaiting scan results for Stephen but at the moment we are thinking anywhere between four and eight weeks, so we have chosen a good young Chelsea keeper who had good experience out on loan last year with Forest Green.
“I spoke to Mark Cooper (Forest Green manager) about him and he recommended him and said he really grew up in his time there last season. By the end of the loan spell he had become more of a man by playing in League Two and he will start on Saturday.
“It’s very bad luck for Stephen. Our injuries have been quite incredible at this early stage in the season. Stephen’s was just freakish coming out for one and being caught on the shoulder. It’s very unfortunate for a goalie to be injured like that.
“Harry Campbell did well coming on against Villa. We don’t quite think he’s ready, but we will choose between him and Brad.”
Collins said: “Last season was my first loan in men’s football at Forest Green so it was a massive learning curve. We struggled at the start of the season but picked it up and stayed up which was massive for the club and massive for me and my career.
“The manager there was great and I have heard good things about Nigel Clough as well. I’m looking forward to working with him and learning a lot on the pitch and off it as well.”
Collins will be No 40 in the Brewers squad.