Tigers sign Beckett on loan

The former Huddersfield Town man has joined in the wake of an injury crisis for Tigers, with Jamie Jackson, Mikel Suarez and Ben Tomlinson all picking up injuries in the past week.

Beckett joins the squad in time for a busy week, with four league games in seven days, starting tomorrow at FC United of Manchester.

Tigers boss Martin McIntosh said that his former Huddersfield team-mate would go straight into the squad for the Gigg Lane encounter, and confirmed fears that both Tomlinson and Jackson would miss vital games.

“I’ve been thinking about another striker for a while now, and with the injury situation we have, I decided to go for Luke. I’ve known him for years and played with him, and I know there was a lot of interest in him as a loan signing so I’m delighted he’s come to us.”

“Ben is looking at two to three weeks out, and Jamie is out for two weeks. Mikel is a doubt for tomorrow too.”

The player himself said he was desperate to get some football in, admitting it was tough to sit on the bench and watch at the age of 34.

Beckett said: “I’ve not been playing at Gainsborough and I’ve not really been coming on as a substitute, so I went to the manager and asked if I could sort something out.”

“I know Martin (McIntosh) really well, we used to travel in together at Huddersfield, and we’ve always kept in touch.”

“I just want to play again, sitting on the bench is not how I want to finish my career, I still have another couple of seasons in me I think.”

“But Trinity have a good young striker in Ryan Kendall and I can’t really argue, I’ve just not been involved this season.”

The prolific front man will bring experience to a young Worksop attack, and hopes to give the fans something to cheer in the final stage of the season.

“I’ve had quite a decent career with goals, I’ve scored a few for Gainsborough and if I’m playing, and get fit, then goals will follow.”

“My fitness is quite good, I’ve been training, but obviously match scenarios are different. I’ll give it a go and hopefully I can do well.”

Trinity boss Brian Little paid tribute to Beckett’s contribution on the Northolme, but refused to be drawn on whether or not the striker had a future with the Blues.

“For Luke, he needs to play football. He understands that Ryan is playing well and needs to be in the team. But we owe a lot to Luke and, in that respect, we need to look after him by making sure he plays football.”

“He’s done a great job for us, but at the moment we need to play young Ryan.”

“We haven’t thought about (the future) and neither has he to be honest, that decision hasn’t been made yet.”

Trinity travel to Harrogate Town tomorrow.