Signing of former Ipswich Town midfielder could be the first of several new faces coming in, says King's Lynn Town boss Tommy Widdrington after Boston United victory
King's Lynn Town boss Tommy Widdrington says the signing of Tommy Hughes could be the start of several new faces coming through the door.
Widdrington revealed after yesterday's 2-1 victory over Boston United that the Ipswich Town youngster, 22, had put pen-to-paper on a permanent deal at the Walks after having his contract terminated by the Blues.
"He's a good addition to the side," said the Lynn boss. "He's a good footballer who likes to have the ball."
Central midfielder Hughes made his debut for the Blues back in October 2019 coming on as a substitute in a 4–0 win over Gillingham in the EFL Trophy.
He subsequently made three substitute appearances in both the EFL Trophy and FA Cup during the season before signing his first professional contract with the League One outfit the following summer.
After recovering from a long-term injury towards the end of last season, the academy graduate was handed a six-month contract at Portman Road in the summer.
The former Bury Town loanee, who scored in the 7-0 opening pre-season friendly at Needham Market in June, had a brief loan spell with National League outfit Torquay United at the start of the season, making one start and one substitute appearance.
His arrival might not be the only one in the coming days with striker Gold Omotayo facing a period on the sidelines with a nasty facial injury while Aaron Jones will have to serve a three-match suspension following his red card against The Pilgrims.
"As today shows we're going to need everyone in the next few weeks," said Widdrington.
"I've toyed with sending Kyle (Callan McFadden) out on loan and I've also toyed with Zain (Walker) out, but we're going to lose AJ and we could lose Gold for a period, so the chairman may have to dig a bit deeper into his pockets yet."
The Linnets boss, who was booked himself during an ill-tempered affair, revealed that the club may appeal the dismissal of Jones, who was shown a straight red after a clash with Boston United's Jake Wright on the far side of the pitch.
"Unless he's done something off the ball after the tackle, I can't for the life of me see why he has been sent-off," said Widdrington.
"He's won the ball cleanly and it has gone out for a corner, but he didn't only get the tackle wrong but he's also given a goal kick.
"I will have to look at the video but in the first half he's also booked Adam (Crowther) and he clearly won the ball two yards in front of me."
Reflecting on referee Michael Robertson-Tant's overall display in the middle, Widdrington said: "I've never ever seen a performance like that from an official, I really haven't.
"He was brandishing yellow cards around for no reason and the way he has refereed the game has spoilt the match, the game was too big for him."
Linnets chairman Stephen Cleeve has revealed that Lynn will appeal the red card decision.
Cleeve took to social media to say: "Looks like pure simulation from Jake Wright who clearly was not hurt but decided to do everything he could to get Aaron Jones sent-off.
"We will post the video soon and look at our options of appealing a very harsh red card. Wright should hang his head in shame."
