Ian Holloway has shared his reasoning behind allowing Sean McGurk to stay on loan at Yeovil Town for the rest of the season.

The 21-year-old winger was initially only supposed to be at the National League side for a month, but will now remain at Huish Park for longer than anticipated.

Holloway said it was still possible McGurk could play for The Robins before the end of the season, with Town able to recall him if needed.

Speaking ahead of Friday's match against Newport County: "I've got a call-back so I've protected us if we get any more injuries.

"We've been winning without him, and he's been getting some goals and enjoying himself.

"This is what he needs and if I need him at any time I can call him back."

Holloway is hopeful that gaining first-team experience under the tutelage of Yeovil manager Mark Cooper will help McGurk become a player capable of representing Town in the future.

"He's playing games and he can do it at that level, he's got hardly any senior games under his belt.

"Coops [Mark Cooper] is a wonderful bloke brought up by his dad Terry Cooper, who used to be my manager, so I couldn't give Sean to a better person who'd believe in him and get him doing what he needs to do.

"There's a talented, brilliant player in there if he can get himself right without the ball and train hard, because with today's sport science why shouldn't you be unbelievably fit even if you're not playing.

"He needs a run of games and he's not got them here, and I'm not going to guarantee them because when he played for me, we lost, and he was part of that."

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McGurk's playing time in Swindon under both Holloway and his predecessor Mark Kennedy has been limited since arriving at the club in February 2024.

However, he has made a strong start to life in Yeovil, scoring twice in five appearances, and will now have the chance to impress Holloway from afar for the remainder of the season.

Town's boss said: "You have to have a strong, resilient team to play someone as skilful as him if he's not very good without the ball, and I don't think we had that when I gave him a chance.

"His best game was against Spurs U-21s where he was outstanding in the second half, but that's what he's used to, so can he step up?

"I'm giving him that opportunity and I love him to bits, I know talent and he's got loads of it, so start using it kid.

"He has got a chance back here, it might seem weird but his agent is right, he needs to get fit and play."

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