The signing of Den Bouzanis on loan was certainly one that caught most off guard but Stevenage manager has offered an explanation.

The 33-year-old goalkeeper arrived on loan from Reading on Monday and took his place on the bench for the Carabao Cup match at Norwich City, Murphy Cooper keeping the shirt.

For many, the signing seemed to indicate that the finger injury to Taye Ashby-Hammond, one that kept him for all of pre-season, was proving more difficult than planned.

And while he wouldn't go into the extent of the injury to the former Fulham man, or the current prognosis and timescale of recovery, believed to be another month now, Revell did say it is to help ease the pressure on Max Woodford and Rylee Mitchell, the two young Boro academy players.

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The boss said: "Dean's come in because of Taye’s injury and we've got two young goalies that are coming out of the academy and we have big games at Huddersfield and Burton coming up. 

"They’re probably not ready for that yet so we have to make sure we are ready. 

"That's the thought process and ultimately when Taye comes back, there will be three of them competing for two places. 

"We have to make sure we get Dean nice and fit and strong and he gives us that competition. 

"But he also gives us that security of knowing that if something happens to Murphy, then we have someone who's played many games. 

"It’s a good signing for us to keep up the competition."