PHIL Parkinson has backed loan signing Jordan Bowery to add an “athletic” option to his City plans.

The 24-year-old striker yesterday joined from Rotherham on an emergency loan until January 2 to cover for the injured James Hanson.

With Steve Davies still out until a similar time, Parkinson felt City needed another forward for the busy period coming up and acted quickly ahead of Thursday’s loan deadline.

He said: “I knew Jordan was available and he gives us real athleticism. He is really keen to come and impress and we thought it was the sensible thing to do.

“With Hans and Steve Davies out and Billy Clarke only just coming back, we felt we were going to be a bit light for a tough run of games coming up.

“The squad is going to be utilised to its absolute maximum, we’re at full stretch.”

Bowery was Rotherham’s record signing when he moved from Aston Villa 17 months ago but found himself operating mainly from the bench. He has not started a game this season since Neil Redfearn took charge.

Parkinson added: “Jordan got a good move to Aston Villa when he was younger. Then he’s gone to Rotherham and played in a team that was always down the bottom of the Championship.

“Hans is not serious. He’s twisted his ankle ligaments and you just don’t know how long that will be.

“The problem is he might be two or three games, he might be five games. You can never tell.

“That leaves us with Billy Clarke, Jamo (Luke James) and Devante (Cole) but Billy’s been out for 12 weeks so we just had to be careful. Bringing in Jordan gives us another option.”

Davies will have the brace removed from his knee on December 1 and is expected to return five weeks after that.

Parkinson said: “It’s frustrating for him because he was playing well. But we’ve got to make sure that he’s back stronger than ever.”