
Workington Town have signed Whitehaven forward Jake Bradley on a short-term loan deal.
Bradley will be available for Town’s League One game at Rochdale on Sunday.
He became Whitehaven’s youngest ever player and try scorer when making his debut vs Hemel Stags in March 2018.
He has made two interchange appearances so far in 2023 but has yet to figure in a Haven shirt since the Challenge Cup exit down in the capital vs London Broncos last month.
Whitehaven head coach Jonty Gorley said: “When Town enquired about Jake a couple of weeks ago, I thought it would be an option for us to give him some game time.
“It’s tough at the minute for a few of my middles, Jake being one of them, because I’ve got four not getting in the 17 each week.
“It’s the only position that I’ve got plenty of cover in, mainly because of the injuries I had to my middles last season, so I thought it necessary to have cover in that area.
“It’s a win/win situation. Town want some forward cover and Jake needs game time, So when Jake gets the nod off me, he’ll be ready to go, rather than sitting out for four or six weeks and being expected to come into our 17 and be up to speed with the Championship.”
Town have two forwards out with injuries – Tom Curwen and Malik Steele – and Bradley will be a useful addition to Anthony Murray’s squad.
Murray said: “Jake is a young player with a lot of promise who has experience of the Championship.
“He needs games and I think it’s a good move for Jake and both clubs as we all get something out of it.
“He trained with us on Tuesday and looked good, and I’m looking forward to seeing him in action.
“He’s another local player who will fit in with the group we already have at the club.”
Town suffered no new injuries in the Good Friday win over North Wales Crusaders and will travel to Rochdale in good heart.
“Rochdale have some good players and I am sure it’s only going to be a question of time before they hit form.
“I just hope that they don’t start on Sunday against us. They have recently added players on dual registration to the squad and I’m sure they are going to get stronger.”