BRADFORD Park Avenue moved quickly to draft in recruits to solve their problems in defence following the injury to Shane Killock and goalkeeper Ryan Jones.

Avenue boss Alex Meechan has been critical of his side's defending in the early part of the season but is standing by his squad as a group of players.

He brought in Bantams youngster Joe Cracknell on a loan deal until January, which will give the keeper valuable experience and also time to establish himself in Avenue's squad.

Meechan was also hoping to have completed the signing of Corbin Shires in time for the towering defender to feature in today's National League North fixture at Brackley Town.

Shires joins on a one-month deal from Mansfield Town and at 6ft 7in he will certainly add height and a presence to the side in both boxes. He will be cover for Killock and Meechan's assistant player-manager Matt Hill.

Former Wolves and Sheffield United defender Hill has started most of Avenue's games this term but was not even on the bench last Monday when Avenue lost at home to leaders AFC Fylde. Joe Kearns, another loanee, partnered Harry Coates in the centre of defence.

Meechan said: "Joe is a good addition and he has a great pedigree after being at Football League clubs' academies. We needed strengthening because our squad is carrying several injuries and the players that have come in are great additions.

"Matt is struggling with a calf injury and having Shane out has been a big loss. Ryan (Toulson) had to come off in the Fylde game and hasn't trained this week."