Taskmaster Paul Collicutt has told Archie Haskayne there is still one thing missing from his game: goals according to the Gloucestershire Echo.
But the Evesham United boss admits he has been taken aback by just how well the teenaged midfielder has performed since joining from Slimbridge last month.
“Goals are the only thing lacking from Archie’s game and if he can start scoring one or two we are going to have one hell of a player on our hands,” Collicutt said.
“I have said before he’s been like a breath of fresh air, but it really has been a pleasant surprise.
“The lad wants to better himself and if he carries on maturing as he has been I am sure higher level clubs will start looking at him.
“I am already being asked by people about how he is doing and we have decided to put him on a contract for that reason.”
Collicutt has been impressed with ex-Cheltenham Saracens player Haskayne’s conduct on and off the pitch.
“He is a lovely lad and a credit to his parents,” Collicutt said.
“He is bright and well-mannered and he has settled in quickly with the lads.
“I can’t speak highly enough of him and hopefully in the next 13 games he can help us reach the play-offs.”
Haskayne will be hoping to help Evesham end a run of three successive draws as they play Swindon Supermarine at the Jubilee Stadium on Saturday.
They will be without Linden Dovey and Lewis Binns through injury, with Liam Harding rated as 50/50 to make it after all three players were forced off in the first half of last week’s game at Yate Town.
Winger Paul Fahy is also out with a groin injury and Carl Brown is likely to be sidelined along with long term absentees Joe Turley, Sam Pearson and Sean Wood.
Like Turley, Pearson may miss the rest of the season, but Wood is hoping to make a return to training in the next fortnight.
Collicutt has brought in midfielder Bradley Gray from North Leigh to give him an extra option, with an lengthy list of players in the treatment room.
“Brad is a good age (26) and I am very pleased to sign him,” Collicutt said.
“He lives in Swindon, so can travel to Kev Sawyer and Nick Stanley and he is full of enthusiasm so I hope he can show how good he is.”
