Altrincham have suffered an eve-of-season setback with an injury to Matty Kosylo but have reacted swiftly to fill the gap by signing Fleetwood forward Chris Conn-Clarke on loan.

Key attacking midfielder Kosylo damaged a knee ligament while running at the start of pre-season, and though subsequent surgery has been hailed a success, he faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Alty have the perfect replacement in Conn-Clarke after the versatile 20-year old attacker agreed a second loan spell at The J.Davidson Stadium and made his debut second time around in Saturday's 2-0 home defeat to Stockport County in the Robins' latest pre-season friendly.

Though his initial stay last February was curtailed by injury in only his second appearance, he made such an impact on his debut against Woking, winning an early penalty and constantly turning close-markers, that Alty wasted no time taking him on loan until the New Year after it became clear Kosylo would be out long-term.

‘It’s great to be back with Alty, and I feel I have unfinished business after my last spell here was cut short like that,' he said. 'It's a great set-up, now the club have gone full-time, with the gym and all the other facilities and training with the rest of the lads every day, rather than two nights a week.

'The aim will be to bring as much creativity and attacking threat to the team as possible. My main thought is to do the best I can for Altrincham, and I’m hoping to steer clear of injury this time and show the fans a lot more of what I can do. I'm determined to make the most of it and get as many goals and assists as I can.'

Alty have one more pre-season friendly, at home to a Manchester United Xl on Saturday, before launching their latest Vanarama National League campaign against Maidstone United at The J.Davidson Stadium the following Saturday.