Whitehaven have tapped into their growing partnership with Hull FC to strengthen their injury-hit squad.
The LEL Arena club had already recruited centre Marcus Walker from the Super League club, although he was ill last week and missed the game at Sheffield.
Now they have announced the loan signings of two highly-rated Hull youngsters – utility back Davy Litten and half-back/hooker Jacob Hookem.
Full-back Geronimo Doyle suffered a broken arm in the game at Sheffield and the Kiwi will be pout of action for a number of weeks.
Moving swiftly to find a full-back Haven were in discussions with Hull and as a result 18-year old Litten will slot into the squad ahead of this weekend’s West Cumbrian derby against Workington Town.
Club director Ashley Kilpatrick said: “ We’re delighted to be able to bring Davy in from Hull. We’ve been able to utilise our strong growing relationship with Hull that we have developed over the last 12 months.
“He’s a very talented outside back who can operate at full-back or centre.
“Davy has come through Hull’s development squad into their academy and progressed into their reserve squad. That’s earned him a squad number and he’s been training with their first team.
“Brett Hodgson rates him highly and needs him out getting game time to help his development.
“As a club we can only pass our thanks onto Brett and James Clark who have helped get this done quickly, easily and professionally.”
Hookem is a 19-year-old England Academy international who represented Yorkshire in the Academy War of the Roses and made his Super League debut for Hull against Wakefield Trinity in September last year.
Kilpatrick said “I’m absolutely delighted to be able to bring-in Jacob. He’s a lad who’s been spoken about to us for a while but he’s had an injury.
“He can play half back or dummy half and he made his debut for Hull against Wakefield last year when he as awarded man of the match.
“He’s very highly rated at Hull as a tough kid, with a good kicking game and he is a good organiser.
“Again we have to thank Brett and James for allowing Jacob to come to us.
“I think it shows how strong and blossoming our relationship is becoming with Hull through the development academy.”
