Guiseley coach Steve Kittrick has explained why he has let former club captain James Cotterill and his defensive partner Jez Fitzgerald leave the Blue Square Bet North outfit.

Cotterill has joined Evo-Stik Premier Division club Worksop Town, while Fitzgerald’s loan at promotion-chasing Chorley, in the same division, has been extended until April 9.

Kittrick said: “Cotty has only started three games all season and wants to play first-team football. He came to me and said ‘I am a loyal servant of the club and can you do a deal for me’. He always gave 100 per cent and played a major part in our gaining pro-motion last season.

“Cotty will always be welcome at Nethermoor and we hope to see him around the place should he have time to be here.”

Kittrick added: “Jez also wants first-team football but we have a 24-hour call-back option.”

The versatile Fitzgerald, has put in some impressive performances since he first went on loan just over a month ago, and, with the Magpies pursuing promotion, manager Gary Flitcroft – the for-mer Blackburn Rovers and Man-chester City midfielder – was keen to retain his services.

Kittrick added: “The standard of our reserve team league is a long way removed from that of the first team, and also they don’t have regular fixtures. It is difficult keeping 20 players happy, and both players have been good about it.”

Last Saturday, Kittrick watched Gloucester – Saturday’s visitors to Nethermoor – at Hyde, and said: “Gloucester won 3-1 at the week-end and 1-0 at home to Vauxhall Motors on Tuesday night, so it is going to be difficult.

“We are also without James Wal-shaw, who is suspended for a match for his dismissal at Eastbourne Borough.”

On Tuesday, Guiseley are at Harrogate Town, who lost 4-0 at Hinckley United on Monday.

Kittrick, who watched added: “Derby games are always difficult to predict and Harrogate will want a response from last Monday.”