LES Palmer has been shipped out to Oldbury United on loan to gain match fitness.

Palmer has not played 90 minutes this year for Bromsgrove Rovers and will spend six games with his former club.

It is the latest such loan scheme adopted by Gary Hackett and Jon Ford to give players match practise.

Ashley Read, Rovers' young striking prospect, is spending a month with Dr Martens Western and local rivals Stourport Swifts while Paul Lloyd is at Willenhall and Matt Southwick at Causeway.

Read has scored four times this season, the latest being in the 2-1 victory at Kidderminster Harriers.