Young midfielder Toby Stephens has “a big future” at Yeovil Town and his latest loan spell will help his development, according to manager Darren Sarll.
The 18-year-old has been with Southern League Division One South & West side for the past month alongside Ollie Haste, who has turned out for the first-team in the Somerset Premier Cup and more regularly with the Under-18s.
Sarll confirmed that he will remain with the North Devon side until the end of the current campaign.
He said: “Toby is and is someone we have a long-term interest in. He’s doing great, I speak to (the Barnstaple manager) Craig Laird all the time, we’ve extended it til the end of the season, it gives him the games he would not get.
“I got a not particularly positive report on one game, I made him aware my eyes are everywhere and I’m not prepared to watch him not perform to his optimum.
“There needs to be a pressure on him to perform, he’s a wonderful young player and I hope he has a big future with our club.“