BY ALAN TEMPLE – @CCP_Sport
Queen of the South boss James Fowler insists Kyle Hutton deserved his contract extension at Palmerston Park.
However, he wants to see more consistency from the former Rangers midfielder.
Hutton, 24, has made 19 appearances for the Championship outfit since arriving at the club on a short-term deal last summer, cutting a composed figure at the heart of the Queens midfield.
His form earned him a contract until the end of the season, but Fowler reckons Hutton can step up his game further and become a key player as Queens target a place in the top four.
The Queens gaffer praised: “Kyle has been playing really well recently, so he deserved that extension to his contract.
“Hopefully, we can get a level of consistency out of him for the next four or five months. That will help us push for that top four position.”
Meanwhile, Fowler remains on the hunt for a striker to spearhead Queens’ promotion push following Paul Heffernan’s departure on Monday and a long-term injury to Dale Hilson.
Former Hamilton youngster Andy Ryan is on trial at Palmerston Park, while the Borders club are keeping tabs on several other targets to take the goalscoring burden off Derek Lyle.
Fowler added: “We’re a little bit short in the striker department – but everybody is looking for strikers. You might have to wait for one or two things happening at other clubs before you can get people in.
“We have been looking for a while now. Dale Hilson is out with a long-term injury so we are looking to get someone up top to help Derek Lyle.”
