Ireland under-19 striker Rowan Roache joins FC United of Manchester on loan

Republic of Ireland under-19 striker Rowan Roache has joined FC United of Manchester on a month-long loan from Blackpool.

The 18-year-old, who recently returned from action following a metatarsal injury, made his debut over the weekend in an FA Trophy defeat to Hereford.

England-born Roache declared for Ireland in 2015 and was part of Colin O'Brien’s side to contest the under-17 European Championships in 2017 as Ireland reached the quarter-finals.

He made his senior debut in the EFL Cup against Doncaster in 2016 before signing his first pro deal the following June.

Roache debuted for Blackpool in the league in January 2008 against Bristol Rovers before joining Southport on loan.

He was part of the Blackpool side that reached the semi-finals of the FA Youth Cup in 2017/18 before losing out to Arsenal over two legs.

“Rowan hasn’t kicked a ball since the second day of pre-season,” Blackpool manger Terry McPhillips told the Blackpool Gazette earlier this month.

“I’m not sure we had the balls out then. It’s good for him to be back and he’s another one, like Myles [Boney], who needs games.

“Rowan will need games in these coming weeks. Whether he can get them here or he has to go out on loan, we’ll see.”