Jordan Maguire-Drew says he’s learning more on loan at Dagenham & Redbridge than if he was playing in the EFL Trophy for Brighton & Hove Albion

Jordan Maguire-Drew of Dagenham & Redbridge (pic: David Simpson/TGS Photo) ©TGS Photo tgsphoto.co.uk +44 1376 553468

On-loan attacker happy with how he’s developing and with his exposure to regular football

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Jordan Maguire-Drew celebrates his first goal for Dagenham & Redbridge against Southport (pic: David Simpson/TGS Photo) Jordan Maguire-Drew celebrates his first goal for Dagenham & Redbridge against Southport (pic: David Simpson/TGS Photo)

Dagenham & Redbridge loanee Jordan Maguire-Drew believes he is better served playing regular football in the National League than he would be if he had stayed at Brighton & Hove Albion this season to play in the revamped EFL Trophy.

The winger is currently on loan at Victoria Road until January 7 and is busy preparing for a trip to Solihull Moors with Daggers tomorrow (Saturday).

Had he stayed with the Seagulls, there is a chance Maguire-Drew would have featured for the Seagulls in the EFL Trophy after controverisal amendments were made which saw academy sides from the Championship and Premier League invited.

But the teenager, who has played in all but one of Daggers’ league games so far, believes he is developing far quicker because of his exposure to regular first-team football than he would have been if just restricted to appearances in the EFL Trophy.

Jordan Maguire-Drew celebrates his second goal for Dagenham & Redbridge away to Woking (pic: David Simpson/TGS Photo) Jordan Maguire-Drew celebrates his second goal for Dagenham & Redbridge away to Woking (pic: David Simpson/TGS Photo)

“When it comes to 3pm on a Saturday and the buzz you get, you can’t get that in under-23 football,” said the 18-year-old.

“Playing against experienced pros is helping me to adapt my game to different styles and playing against different teams.

“After this season, I’m going to be much more rounded player and it will have been a step in the right direction.”

Maguire-Drew is also being helped by a host of experienced pros playing alongside him at Daggers too, including Andre Boucaud and Luke Guttridge.

Sadly, the duo missed the last game for Daggers, with Boucaud away on international duty with Trinidad & Tobago in their World Cup qualifying group, while Guttridge has torn his hamstring.

Without the pair, the Victoria Road club struggled to create much in a 2-0 loss at home to Boreham Wood.

And Maguire-Drew knows that Daggers did miss the influence of the talented pair of Boucaud, adding: “Everyone has their own bit they bring to the table. The likes of ‘Gutts’ and Andre are great players with great technical ability and know the game really well.

“As a young player learning the game, they’ve helped me hugely.

“I wouldn’t say I’ve just missed them the last couple of games, the team has as well.

“Everyone adds their own bit, but I think we’ve done all right, it’s just that the luck hasn’t been there for us.”

Daggers should have better luck in front of goal on Saturday as Moors have kept just one clean sheet all season.

And the young winger admits it is statistics like those that boost the confidence of attackers before a match.

“We’ve got strength in depth in attack with so many options and we can hurt any team we play. We’re all looking forward to Saturday and hopefully we can get back to winning ways,” he added.

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