AFC Fylde manager Dave Challinor has welcomed the additions of exciting Oldham Athletic pair Jamie Stott and George Edmundson.

The young defensive duo have joined the club on initial one-month loan deals and go straight into Challinor’s plans for tomorrow’s huge FA Cup fourth qualifying round clash against Wrexham.

The Coasters had just one recognised centre-half available with Jordan Tunnicliffe doubtful with an achillies injury and Challinor was delighted with the timely transfer business.

Challinor said: “They both have Football League experience and they will want to prove themselves. You need to be driven and motivated when you are joining a club for a short time and you tend to get that more with young players. 

“We had a couple of similar loans last season and they worked well and I’m sure these two will be great additions to the squad. 

“We enquired about George earlier in the season but he was in and around the first team. They have since had an influx of players come in and allowed him to spend a short time out on loan.

“It was important for me that they were allowed to play in the FA Cup and Oldham have agreed to that. It’s only a month initially but we will see how we go after that.”

Challinor admitted that experienced heads are hard to come by at this stage of the season, but insisted the two youngsters will freshen up the squad and give him more options.

“To get someone who has played 400 Football League games is difficult to come by.

“Experience of men’s football is vital for me, especially at this level, and they have both featured for the Oldham first team and also had previous spells out on loan.

“They trained with us on Thursday and they have already fit in to the group really well and I envisage that they will do well.

“I think it will help that they have come in together. They know each other and they can support each other, but I’m sure they will have no problems and that they will enjoy their time with us.

“Jamie is a left-sided centre-half who can also play left-back whilst George is right-sided so it gives us a good balance and allows us to play different systems. 

“They can both play, but ultimately they are defenders that want to defend. We had very little cover at the back with just two recognised centre-halves and with one of them a doubt for the weekend, this comes at a good time.”