Ellery Balcombe backed to thrive at Doncaster Rovers by Brentford boss

Brentford head coach Thomas Frank has urged goalkeeper Ellery Balcombe to take his chance to shine while on loan at Doncaster Rovers.
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Balcombe has joined Rovers on loan until the end of the season and is eligible to make his debut in Saturday’s FA Cup tie at Blackburn Rovers.

Prior to leaving the Bees on loan, he signed a new four-and-a-half year contract to tie himself to the ambitious London club until the summer of 2025.

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And Frank believes the loan will be hugely beneficial for the highly rated young keeper.

Ellery BalcombeEllery Balcombe
Ellery Balcombe

“Ellery is one of our very good young goalkeepers, alongside Patrik Gunnarsson, who we have a huge amount of belief in,” Frank told the Brentford website.

“This new contract, and the chance to go and get important minutes with Doncaster Rovers in League One, shows the regard we hold Ellery in as a player for the future at Brentford.

“Many top players have made the step up from League One in recent years and this time at Doncaster will be a really good chance for Ellery to get vital minutes during this next stage of his development.”

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Balcombe has yet to make his senior debut for Brentford but has been part of numerous matchday squads.

Meanwhile, Rovers boss Darren Moore is confident Balcombe has what it takes to reach the top.

And Moore revealed the 21-year-old is someone he has been tracking for a while.

“Ellery was somebody who was on our shortlist of goalkeepers in the summer,” the Rovers boss told the club’s official website.

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“We’re pleased to get him in and we’re grateful to Brentford for allowing us to have him. He’s a good young goalkeeper that comes highly recommended and is highly-rated, and highly thought of.

“He’s got international experience which just shows the pedigree of player we’re getting here.

“He has all the attributes you need to be a really top, top goalkeeper and he’ll be given the platform to showcase those talents here at Doncaster Rovers.”

Balcombe has represented England from U18 to U20 level and has been called up for England U21 duty for the last 18 months but has yet to win his first cap.

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