Teenage midfielder Lucas Tomlinson has joined Bath City on loan from Bristol Rovers, the Gas announced on Tuesday.
The 19-year-old, who signed a new contract at the Mem in the summer, will look to get valuable playing time with Jerry Gill's Romans in the National League South until January 2.
Tomlinson scored twice for Rovers in pre-season, and made five appearances for the Gas last term – including a 16-minute cameo in the famous win at Ipswich Town in December.
But the arrival of boss Ben Garner on the eve of Christmas saw his playing time reduced and the signing of several midfielders this summer has pushed him down the pecking order.
The left-footed central midfielder remains highly thought of at the Mem, and Garner believes a loan spell in non-league is the right step to take in his progression. A stint away from the club would have materialised sooner, had he not suffered an injury earlier in the season.
"He had an injury," Garner told Bristol Live last week. "He was due to go out on loan and a couple of days before he was going he picked up an injury.
"He’s just got back fit, and he’s due to go out on his loan which we think will do him the world of good, going out and playing regular football."
Tomlinson is the second Gas prospect to be loaned out in the past week, with 18-year-old Kieran Phillips joining Bath's National League South rivals Chippenham Town on loan, also until January.
Tom Mehew is another player set to leave the Mem on a temporary deal this week after impressing in pre-season and the EFL Trophy.
Abu Ogogo is also set to leave the club before Friday's transfer deadline, with the 30-year-old midfielder not part of Garner's squad and effectively transfer listed.
