Yeovil Town have signed former Sheffield Wednesday defender Richard Hinds in time to face his old club in tomorrow’s npower League One fixture at Hillsborough.

The Glovers will travel north without the services of captain Paul Huntington, who starts a three-match ban as well as facing a Football Association misconduct charge.

Manager Gary Johnson revealed that 31-year-old Hinds was at Huish Park yesterday, when he agreed a deal which will keep him in Somerset until the end of the season.

Johnson said: “After being left high and dry by the FA rejecting the appeal against Paul Huntington’s red card, we were lucky to find someone of Richard’s experience available. He has played more than three hundred games, and Saturday will be a huge game for him, as it’s against one of his former clubs.

“We did some work with him and the team this morning, and he will certainly be travelling with the team. Whether he plays or not is another thing,” Johnson added.

“He has come down all this way and he’s looking to get into a team where he can play first-team football.

“We’re looking for another centre-back to compete with what we have. He seems very keen, he’s certainly an experienced player, and I think that might be good for our younger players with Huntington out for a month.”

Hinds began his career with Tranmere Rovers and then played for Hull City and Scunthorpe United before joining Wednesday in 2007. He stayed with the Owls until May last year, and has had a spell with Blue Square Bet Premier outfit Lincoln City this season.

Johnson also confirmed that former Blackburn Rovers striker Tom Hitchcock was in his thoughts, following his release by the Barclays Premier League outfit.

“His name come up today in our office but it was certainly nothing more than that,” said Johnson. “He’s one name we’re currently speaking about, but we’ve not had time just yet to make any further enquiries. He is on our list.”

Hitchcock, 19, did not feature in Blackburn’s first team, and failed to score in eight League Two outings for Plymouth Argyle while on loan at Home Park this term.

One player definitely not on Johnson’s list is his son Lee, released by Bristol City earlier this week. “Absolutely no chance,” said Johnson Snr.

“I would love to work with him again as a player because I have helped him and he has helped me with our successes. He is still a top player but he will not work with his dad again. He does not see me nowadays as his manager, and I think he has had enough years under me. He wants to go and seek pastures new, and I’m sure he can.”