TWO of Weymouth’s New Year’s Day derby heroes will be with the club for a while longer after extending their loan deals.

Exeter City’s Scott Bennett, who headed home the second goal against Dorchester at the Wessex Stadium, will be with the Terras for another month while midfielder Stephen Reed, who was named man of the match in the same game, will stay until the end of the season.

Earlier in the week it was looking as if Weymouth would lose Bennett, but a 24-hour release clause has been inserted into the deal to allow him to stay.

“We’ve got Scott Bennett for another month, which is great,” said manager Ian Hutchinson. “Two days ago it looked as if we were going to be losing him because Exeter were in the process of moving someone on.

“We’ve got a clause with 24 hours recall so if any time they need to take him back there is that clause that they can at 24 hours’ notice. Hopefully that won’t happen.

“He’s only played two games because of the adverse weather but in that time he’s looked a class act and hopefully he can have another good month and form a good partnership with Scott Brice.”

But while Bennett has only been allowed to stay another month, Weymouth have struck a deal with League Two side Macclesfield Town for Reed to remain at the club for the rest of the season.

“There’s no doubting Reedy’s footballing ability,” said Hutchinson. “He’s my type of player, a lovely footballer.

“It’s quite high profile that he was George’s signing but we spoke to him about how things were and he’s responded to that and fitted in brilliantly.

“Ever since he walked through the door his attitude has been first class. He knew it had to be right otherwise he would be out of the door.

“Now from his point of view and Jamie McGuin-ness’ they can fully focus on Weymouth Football Club until the end of the season.

“They are still loan players but at least we have them until the end of the season.”

Hutchinson also hopes to have some more transfer news in the early part of the week, including that of the Championship striker he has been chasing, as revealed in Echosport last week.

Meanwhile, after Weymouth’s trip to Welling United was called off on Saturday the team held an indoor training session in a sports hall.

“We had a good session to maintain our focus but it will be nice to get back on the green stuff outdoors and hopefully tomorrow’s match will be on,” said Hutchinson.