Walsall Football Club

The Stafford-born 18-year old has been progressing well under John Ward in the development squad but now feels the time is right to go out and gain first team football. 

“The aim is to go out and impress,” said Rowley. “If I can go and get myself into the team, play well and get amongst the goals then the loan will have done its job. 

“It’ll be good to see how I cope with men’s football and how my development goes from here. 

“You’ve got to experience in game scenarios. It’s all well and good doing it in training and in the reserves but you have to do it against proper opposition. 

“I’ve been training hard all week but there’s nothing to work towards when you’re not getting in the side. 

“Now I’m going out on loan, there’s a carrot at the end of the week for me to work towards.” 

The exciting forward suffered a serious knee injury at the latter stages of the 14/15 season but has since made a full recovery. 

After spending time in the treatment room towards the end of his time in the youth team, Rowley was offered a professional contract and is not deterred by the physicality of non-league football. 

“I’m a ball carrier so I’ve got to expect getting kicked around a bit,” he added. “It makes it easier when you go into games expecting those sorts of challenges. 

“There are some good teams in non-league who play a good brand of football so I don’t think it’s going to be a problem. 

“I’m confident I can get on with the lads there and hopefully hit the ground running. 

“I’ve got the benefit of still being here [Walsall] during the week and training hard but then I can hopefully get some game time with Stafford as well. 

“I’m approaching it with an open mind but I just want to play well. 

“Hopefully I can bag some goals as well but I need to concentrate on my performances first and foremost.” 

Rowley joins the likes of Jordan Murphy (Worcester City), Amadou Bakayoko (Worcester City) and James Baxendale (Mansfield Town) who have all departed on loan in recent weeks.