BILLY Bodin could be sent on loan if Paolo Di Canio manages to sign another striker before this weekend’s home clash with Crewe.

The Wales Under 21 international featured regularly in pre-season, although Di Canio does not view him as a long-term option in attack and instead believes his best position is left wing.

Bodin told the Advertiser in the summer that he would pursue a short-term move elsewhere if it looks as though he is unlikely to play much at Town.

And Di Canio confirmed that going out on loan is an option, if he is first able to bolster his attacking options before the League Two opener.

“Billy is a good, talented player but he is a kid. He will have a good future in the game but at the moment he is a kid, I have to say this,” he said.

“I tell him every day to challenge for the ball and recover the position. We will decide in the next few days if he goes out on loan.”

Bodin will definitely be ruled out of Town’s Carling Cup first round clash with Bristol City a week today after being called up to the Wales Under 21 squad to face Hungary on August 10.

Di Canio only has Raffa De Vita and Alan Connell available as out and out strikers, with Mehdi Kerrouche set to miss the start of the season with a knee injury.

“Mehdi can start training again in the next couple of days but he will not be fit to face Crewe,” added Di Canio.

Kerrouche joins a growing injury list that already includes Mattia Lanzano (rib) and Etienne Esajas (shoulder).