BRADFORD (Park Avenue) have announced that the loan agreement they have with Port Vale for winger Alex Hurst has been extended until the end of the season.

Hurst signed for Bradford in October 2018 and quickly became a fan favourite, helping his side to reach the Vanarama National League North play-offs in his first season.

Following some strong performances on the pitch, he caught the attention of Port Vale, who invited him to train with them in the 2019/20 pre-season.

Hurst did enough to impress and Vale promptly signed him up. However, as part of the agreement, Hurst was loaned back to Avenue until at least January.

With a paper-thin squad at his disposal, it would have been another bitter blow to Bradford boss Mark Bower if he had lost Hurst's services after next week, so this loan extension until May will be hugely welcome news for him.

The Hurst deal comes after the club confirmed that Lewis Rathbone has left by mutual consent, following Isaac Marriott's return to parent club Huddersfield Town last week.