Grimsby Town boss provides update on status of Bristol City youngster Ryley Towler

Grimsby Town manager Paul Hurst says no discussions have taken place about extending the loan of Bristol City’s Ryley Towler.

The 19-year-old has been on loan with the Mariners since September and has made an impression with the National League club.

He has started 13 matches, racking up 1170 minutes of first-team football, earning rave reviews from those at Blundell Park.

With just over a month left on Towler’s deal, Hurst was asked whether anything has been discussed about keeping him at the club on a longer basis.

"No, not as yet,” he responded to the Grimsby Telegraph.

"We're still near the start-ish of November. Things can change very quickly.

"We won't have any agreements set in stone in the middle of November. Those discussions can happen to a degree but they're almost pointless.

"I think whether the lads are in the team is one indication of whether we'd want to keep them. Others, that might not be the case but we might still want them here.

"First and foremost, unfortunately, we're not the ones in control of the situation."

It is believed that the player would want to remain past January with Grimsby given the first-team opportunities he's being afforded right now.

He is playing against former professionals and is in the midst of a promotion battle which will aid his development and prepare him for when he returns back to his parent club.

An indication that Towler's short-term future may be with Grimsby is that City CEO Richard Gould revealed that more transfer funds will be made available to strengthen the squad.

It may mean that a player is brought in his position, which could allow time for a player to bed in.

Towler is an academy product of the City academy and has been contracted to the club since joining as a eight-year-old.

The Mangotsfield-born youngster broke into the first-team last season, making his debut against Sheffield United in the FA Cup and later went on to make three appearances in the Championship

He offers versatility as a left-footed midfielder who can also play at left-back as well as a centre-back.

City’s belief in him is strong as they rewarded him with a three-year contract and is regarded as one for the future and this loan may be the right thing for him right now.

If his loan at Grimsby continues to be a success then it could also be hard to ignore, so he could find himself back in Bristol sooner than thought to compete for a first-team spot, should any injuries arise.