Stevenage boss Steve Evans has admitted that he picked the brains of former Reading manager Paul Ince ahead of signing Royals left-back Nesta Guinness-Walker on loan.

The 24-year-old has not featured for Ruben Selles' side since November and joins promotion-chasing Boro on a short-term loan until April.

Signed under Ince in the summer of 22, the former AFC Wimbledon wing-back has played 41 times for the club in 18 months.

Speaking ahead of their match at Wigan Athletic, Evans discussed the signing and the role that both Ince, and son Thomas, had on the decision to take the defender.

"I made a move as a manager to try and get Nesta but obviously when a club like Reading comes calling, and comes with a big chequebook at the time, then the kid goes there. He went there and played a lot of games under Incey.

"I spoke to Paul and Thomas Ince, both paid big compliments to the kid. We didn’t speak about whether he was a good player or not- I know he’s a good player. We spoke about his character. He came in the early part of the week, took part in the game on Tuesday and was as good as anybody on the pitch.

"We need to get him up to minutes in terms of first-team minutes. He’s got loads of Under-23 and training ground minutes, and doesn’t miss a day going from his record. He’s exciting. Very talented going forward but we’ve got work to do with him defensively. If he had that in his bag he’d be at Chelsea or Arsenal."

Reading are still in discussions with the EFL regarding any possible incomings before next week's deadline.