WEYMOUTH defender Dan Matsuzaka has completed a one-month loan switch to Southern League Premier South side Hendon.

Matsuzaka, 25, has struggled for a regular starting place at centre-back in recent weeks.

The former Japanese Under-19 international has made 30 appearances for the Terras, scoring twice, since joining from Oxford City in the summer.

Speaking to Echosport, boss Bobby Wilkinson revealed the loan deal is an insurance policy should loanee defenders Jamie Egan, Brendan Willson or Chris Francis become injured.

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Wilkinson said: “He’s just going for a month’s loan because he hasn’t played for two weeks, just to get him some football.

“If the loanees go back, he comes back ready to go. I’m just thinking a month and a half in advance.

“We’re keeping all our players fit for the run-in.”

Wilkinson also clarified that Matsuzaka has done nothing wrong and the arrangement is purely to keep Weymouth’s squad as fit as possible.

“No, it’s just because he’s out of the team at the moment and the other boys are doing well,” he confirmed.

“You know with a centre-half, you don’t want him to lose his fitness because it’s so important.

“He was absolutely fine with it, we discussed it together as we always do, and he was really happy.”

Weymouth visit Farnborough in the Vanarama National League South tonight (7.45pm).

Matsuzaka could make his Hendon debut this evening away to Wilkinson’s former club, Bracknell Town (7.45pm).

Hendon currently sit 20th in the division below Weymouth and are in relegation danger, three points from safety with 14 games remaining.