TWO loan players signed to remain with Aldershot Town last week. Left-back Lewis Kinsella became Gary Waddock’s second signing in a day after defender George Fowler made his loan move permanent upon leaving Ipswich.

Kinsella will remain at Aldershot for the rest of the season after being released by Colchester. He has already made three appearances for Aldershot since joining on loan in early January.

The 23-year-old previously played 14 games, including seven starts, for Colchester this season, following 13 starts in the first three months of 2016-17 before suffering a long-term ankle injury. He spent eight years in the Arsenal Academy, up to U16 level, before joining Aston Villa in 2011.

He helped the Villa Academy win the European NextGen Series in 2013 and was then named as a substitute for the first team’s FA Cup quarter-final against West Bromwich in March 2015. Loans at Luton and Kidderminster followed before he joined Colchester in July 2016.

Fowler, 20, has made 22 appearances for Aldershot since joining on loan in August and was voted Player of the Month for December. Fowler, who can play either centre-back or central midfield, made his senior debut in Ipswich’s Carabao Cup tie against Crystal Palace last year, having signed his first professional contract in April 2016.

Gary Waddock has expanded his squad since the transfer of key midfielder Bernard Mensah to Bristol Rovers for an undisclosed fee.

Adam McDonnell earlier rejoined the club on a permanent contract from Ipswich and in addition to the signings of Fowler and Kinsella, Aldershot have also recruited winger John McQuoid from Luton.

After their break from National League action, Aldershot travel to Dagenham & Redbridge this Saturday.

The following Saturday (Feb 17), the Shots host Macclesfield in a crunch fixture. Wrexham won 2-0 at Guiseley on Saturday to go top of the table, level on points with Macclesfield who have a game in hand. The Silkmen are just one point ahead of third-placed Aldershot. Macclesfield beat Aldershot 2-0 in Cheshire last September.