Butler Answers Call

With Ian Evatt and Rob Edwards suspended for Saturday’s clash away at Cardiff, Ian Holloway has been looking to bolster his central defensive options all week.

Today he has succeeded in that task with the signing of defender Andy Butler from League One Huddersfield until the end of the season.

Butler is perhaps a surprising choice given strong rumours linking us to Bolton’s Danny Shittu, but he has played at this level before for Scunthorpe United, where he spent six years before turning down a new deal at the Iron and joining Huddersfield.

Since the arrival of Lee Clark at the Galpharm, twenty six year old Butler has perhaps not lived up to expectations and indeed has only made ten appearances this season.

However, he was very highly rated during his time at Scunthorpe, and if he can regain that form he might well prove to be an asset.

Indeed, Ian Holloway has already admitted that this loan spell presents Butler, whose contract at Huddersfield runs until the summer of 2011, with an opportunity to earn a permanent contract at Bloomfield Road:

‘I have tried to sign him twice before at previous clubs and I’ve admired him for a long time.

It is fortunate to get someone I actually rate because it is very difficult when you are trying to borrow people.’

Interestingly, Butler is a left sided centre half, so fits into Ollie’s desire to bring in such a player. Fingers crossed he does the business.

Butler goes straight into the squad for Saturday’s game alongside Ash Eastham, who as expected, has been recalled from his loan spell at League Two Cheltenham.

We’ll have some more reaction to today’s signing later this afternoon.