GLOUCESTER CITY midfielder Matt Liddiard is expected to be part of the title-chasing Cirencester Town squad when they entertain Godalming Town at the Corinium Stadium on Saturday.

Ciren are just a place and three points behind leaders Merthyr Town in the Calor Southern Division One South & West – but with two games in hand.

There is a seven-point gap back to third-placed Mangotsfield United.

For Liddiard, 21, it will be a second loan spell at Ciren having impressed in his five games for the club earlier in the season.

Manager Brian Hughes’ options in midfield have become limited since Jamie Edge’s transfer to Hereford, while James Mortimer-Jones has continued to play with a niggling knee injury.

Last season’s Player of the Year Ben Wells has joined in non-contact training after knee surgery ruled him out from the start of the campaign but is still a month away from first team action, although he is progressing very well.

“We just need to create some competition in midfield, “ said Hughes.

“Lids only went back to Gloucester because he thought he would be playing in their first team but it has not worked out.

“He’s come back and we are happy to have him.”

Wells’ return may still be on the horizon but Hughes was able to welcome back another long-term injury sufferer, Chris Holland, in Tuesday night’s 4-1 Red Insure Cup defeat at the hands of Hungerford Town of the Calor Southern Premier.

Holland, an experienced and towering presence at the centre of defence, has been on the sidelines for three months and missed 13 games after turning his ankle over in training.

He lasted 56 minutes of his comeback, coming off as a precaution just after Hungerford had cancelled out Cirencester’s early goal by Joe Shepherd.