Exeter City have emerged as a potential transfer rival to Rochdale in the race to sign Huddersfield Town‘s Jay Sway on loan.

The Spotland club were linked with a swoop for the Terriers’ full-back at the start of the month, but faced competition from their archrivals in Oldham Athletic prior to their move to sign Bolton Wanderers’ Lewis Temple.

Grecians Enter Battle

However, it seems that Rochdale are once again facing a battle to recruit the 19-year-old, with Pete O’Rourke reporting that Matt Taylor and Exeter City are now keen on a loan move.

Sway has been involved in the first team for Huddersfield this season, making his League One debut over the weekend in the club’s 1-1 draw with MK Dons, and also had a cameo appearance in their first-round EFL Cup tie against Preston North End.

Having been courted by multiple Championship clubs, including Norwich City, over the summer, Town secured their starlet to a new three-year contract in the wake of his first senior loan move at Hartlepool United.

Left-back is still an area of concern in the Dale squad, with just Bryant Bilongo as their only senior option in the position, but can be covered by Dan Moss, who played the majority of the League Two match against Crawley Town.

Exeter are somewhat well-stocked when it comes to their squad, with both Liam Oakes and Ethan Sutherland able to play in the position alongside the more advanced options of Gwion Edwards and Vincent Harper.

Should Huddersfield Sanction Exit?

Since their ascension to the top job at Huddersfield Town, both Martin Drury and Jon Stead are seemingly willing to risk giving their youth players more of a shot to prove themselves, and Jay Sway is one of those set to benefit the most.

Having been handed his league debut over the weekend in the wake of Bali Mumba’s three-match suspension, the 19-year-old is on the brink of a breakthrough season, and while his performance against MK Dons may have left a lot to be desired, he can only improve from that starting point.

While a League Two loan move will do wonders in giving him first-team experience, especially at Rochdale, where there is still depth concerns at left-back, whether allowing him to move on may not have a clear-cut answer.

Of course, Mumba will reclaim his place back in the Terriers squad once his ban is lifted, but as a backup option, Sway could become a useful option across the whole League One season, and therefore, keeping him in Yorkshire could be the best option.