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Ian McParland today made another move to freshen up his Notts County squad by signing Krystian Pearce, a talented young defender on a month's loan from Birmingham City.

It's McParland's second Premiership raid in the space of the week following the signing of Liverpool's Craig Lindfield, who marked his debut in style with a stunning goal at Accrington.

And both youngsters will be in contention for places on Saturday when County launch their FA Cup campaign with a home clash against Histon.

Said McParland: "Dave Kevan and I have had a tremendous response from the players since we took over and couldn't have asked for more effort from them.

"But we are keen to freshen things up and create more competition for places - and the arrival of Lindfield and Pearce will help to do that."

Pearce, who is still only 17, has been in excellent form this season and following some superb displays for England during the summer in the Under-17 World Cup, he missed out the Under-18s and was recently promoted straight through to the Under-19 squad.

Widely regarded as one of the best young prospects at the Birmingham Academy, he's a powerful central defender who regularly weighs in with goals and is expected to have a very big future in the game.

Added McParland: "Steve Bruce rates Krystian very highly and as with Liverpool and Lindfield, Birmingham feel that he has now reached the stage of his development where he needs to go out and get some League experience.

"That's good news for us and although he is here for a month, if things work out for all concerned, he might well be here a while longer."

With Stephen Hunt forced to leave the field through injury in the closing stages of Tuesday's draw at Barnet, County are short of options in the middle of defence so there is every chance that Pearce will be involved in some capacity on Saturday.