PREMIERSHIP hopeful Matthew Day has joined Chippenham Town on loan until the end of the season in a dramatic week of transfer twists and turns at Hardenhuish Park.

The Portsmouth central defender will be thrown straight into the side for tomorrow's match against Cheshunt as cover for injured skipper Gary Thorne, who is still suffering with shin splints.

Day said he was excited to be joining the Bluebirds at such a crucial stage in the Southern League Premier Division season.

He said: "Our reserve team season finishes in three weeks so I wanted to go out on loan to get a few more games. Chippenham phoned to say they were interested and I know the Southern Premier is quite a good standard, so I jumped at the chance.

"I'm very excited about the move. Darren Perrin has told me I will be starting against Cheshunt on Saturday, so I'm really looking forward to kick off already."

Day has made two first team appearances for Portsmouth this season in pre-season friendlies against Yeovil Town and Havant and Waterlooville.

The 19-year-old has spent most of his time at Fratton Park in the reserves, where he has gained a reputation as a full-blooded player who is assured and confident on the ball.

On Monday night Day was asked to mark Fulham's Slyvain Legwinski in a reserve match between the two Premiership clubs.

He said: "You could tell Slyvain had played in the Premiership because he did not put a foot wrong all night. It was my job to stop him from scoring and I did that.

"Once I played in a reserve match against Arsenal when Cesc Fabregas, Ray Parlour and Jermaine Aliadiere were all playing. You just have to tell yourself that you can compete with these guys. You can't be afraid and curl up in a ball."

Day is confident he has the tools to repair the leaking Chippenham defence.

He said: "I think I'm a bit of a mix-and-match player. I will never bottle a challenge but I can also pass the ball quite well. I'm versatile because I can play anywhere across the back four.

"I like to talk all the way through each game because it helps me to focus. I also want to hear other players shouting. That way we all know where we stand."

Day's arrival marked the end of a turbulent week in the transfer market which saw Darren Perrin sign former Cheltenham trainee Steve Cook, but miss out on Mangotsfield winger Luke Prince, who opted to join title rivals Salisbury City.

Perrin said: "I am delighted that Portsmouth have showed faith in me and Adie and have trusted Chippenham Town to look after Matthew until the end of the season.

"With both Gary Thorne and Ross Adams out injured it was important to bring another defender to the club before the transfer deadline.

"It's nice to have another new face on board for the run-in.

"I have heard good things about Matthew from the Portsmouth reserve team coach Brett Angell, who rates him very highly. I look forward to working with him."