Mansfield Town teenager Jimmy Knowles joins Notts County on loan

The 18-year-old has linked up with the Magpies looking for game time, although Town do have the option to recall him.

Manager Coughlan admitted that first-team opportunities may be limited at the One Call Stadium for the young forward - who has scored once in five first-team outings - and the chance of regular football was the best option for Knowles' development.

"He's a kid that's got talent and ability, but he probably wasn't going to push his career on by sitting in the 23s or by being in training around the players," Coughlan said.

"He needed games and we couldn't guarantee him enough game time.

"It's great he's got this opportunity. It's a really positive loan and hope he does himself justice."

Despite the rivalry between the two clubs, Coughlan is adamant that Meadow Lane is the perfect place for Knowles to hone his skills.

"I know they're our neighbours and there's a little bit of rivalry, but I think it's a great loan for the lad," he said.

"If you could handpick a loan for Jimmy you couldn't have handpicked that one any better.

"He wants to play. He needs game time to help his development, to help him mature, to help him learn. This is a tremendous loan."

County will kick off their National League campaign on October 3 while Town's League Two season begins on Saturday with the arrival of Tranmere Rovers.

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