Imps left-back Max Melbourne has been told he could secure a permanent move to the Bescot Stadium in the summer, according to the Express and Star.
The 22-year-old left the Imps on deadline day, with Cohen Bramall coming in as his replacement, a move which seemed to suggest he was a little down the pecking order. He has yet to make his debut for his new club, they’ve been out of action since January 23rd, but speaking to their local media he revealed Darrell Clarke has suggested there could be a deal for him there if he impresses in his temporary switch.
“In regards to talks with the manager, he has told me to work hard, do your very best and if things go well for me, there could be a contract at the end for me,” he said. “I have always been a firm believer in taking every game as it comes so I will be looking to try and get a shirt and then hopefully I can maintain it.”
He went on to discuss what he was looking for from the loan spell, which is expected to start tomorrow when Mansfield Town visit the Black Country.
“I am looking to gain some more experience from this loan move,” he added. “I just want to improve myself as a player. I’ll be in a different environment which is going to test me in different ways. It’s going to be an all-round different experience and I am looking to test myself.”
Max has appeared 16 times for City this season, but only averaged 23 minutes per outing in the league. If you were to take away his one start against Accrington, that would go down to just 12 minutes per appearance, despite initially replacing Harry Toffolo when he departed in January 2020.
Max came through the ranks at West Brom, having loan spells with Ross County and Partick Thistle before joining us on loan under previous boss Danny Cowley. Michael Appleton handed him a full-time deal in the transfer window and promoted him to the first team for the 1-0 victory against Blackpool, but an injury early this season ser the youngster back. When he regained fitness, the form of Tayo Edun and Sean Roughan ensured that 22-year-old Melbourne hasn’t seen much action.
With Bramall arriving from Colchester, it may be the versatile defender looks elsewhere to seek his first-team football this summer. On the other hand, he might smash it at Walsall and come back here stronger and back in Michael Appleton’s plans.
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