KIWI striker Hamish Watson may be loaned out this January to prove his worth to Grimsby Town.
As reported, the 21-year-old currently has a short-term deal at Blundell Park – with boss Paul Hurst looking to prolong that stay.
Watson (pictured) has featured just twice – from the bench – for the first team since arriving at the club from New Zealand.
And while Hurst wants to keep hold of the big forward, he admits game time could be crucial to his Mariners future.
Hurst told the Telegraph: "We would like to keep Hamish at the club, and hope that he will stay with us.
"But we have an eye on getting him out on loan maybe, and then getting him some game time.
"Hamish is a very young man, and it will do him the world of good to get out there and get some games.
"If we do, it's ideal that we get him out as high as possible really, as it would be a more realistic test for him.
"But if Hamish has to go to the league below to play, then ultimately that will benefit him and us.
"We want to assess him and, if the opportunity arose to go and watch him play, that's great because he certainly has got something."
With the January transfer window in full swing, Hurst is currently on the lookout to bolster the Town ranks.
Loan striker Ollie Palmer has already arrived on a one-month deal from Mansfield, and is expected to push for a starting place.
Meanwhile, the Mariners have also extended Danny Parslow's loan until the end of the season.
But while other players are on his radar, Hurst won't be making changes for the sake of it this month.
Ahead of today's FA Trophy clash with Gateshead, he added: "We have obviously been looking to bring people in.
"But, sometimes, you have to take a step back and appreciate what we do have.
"You see them day in, day out as a manager, and I know what the players we have at the club can do.
"Despite the last two games, I think we have done well.
"We don't want to pretend those two games didn't happen, but they are a distant memory in terms of the little break we've had.
"We are looking forward to today's game, and hopefully we can get the positive result that we want."
