MARK Bower is sad to see Sheffield United loanee Harry Boyes return to his parent club but glad to be able to utilise the loan market again to bring in a player from a Yorkshire rival.

Boyes has been one of Avenue's best players since arriving from the Blades in October making 14 appearances in all competitions.

The full back will forever be remembered for the screamers he bagged against Gloucester City and York City.

With his performances alerting other clubs, it is likely the 19-year-old will now be sent out on loan to a higher division to see out the remainder of the 2020/21 campaign.

On Boyes' spell in green and white, Bower said: "We knew with how well he was doing; it was going to be really tough to keep him after January and likely that he would step to a higher level to play the rest of the season.

"From our point of view he is not the first. (Bradford City's) Reece Staunton came in last year and what he learnt helped him so I am sure it will be the same with Harry Boyes.

"He has been a real positive for us and scored a couple of unbelievable goals. We are thankful to both Harry and the club.

"Technically on the ball and going forward he has got such good quality and has improved greatly in the defensive side and physicality in the short time he has been with us.

"So, with the assets he has already got and if he can improve, which he will do as he gets older and bigger, he could go a long way and potentially be playing in Sheffield United’s first team at some point."

The Vanarama National League North club had tried to respond quickly by bringing in a left back with Matty Downing starting his three-game ban tomorrow. But have so far been unsuccessful.

Although Bower has acquired, subject to FA and National League approval, midfielder Alex Wollerton on a one-month loan from York to cover for the injured Isaac Marriott and suspended Jake Hibbs.

The 21-year-old had trained with Avenue in pre-season after being released by Championship side Barnsley in the summer before joining the Minstermen.

Wollerton came through the Leeds United ranks and spent time on loan at Darlington in 2018. He will be unavailable for the pair's rescheduled league clash.

"He has got good quality," Bower added

"We kept an eye on him (after pre-season), and with Isaac Marriott out and Jake Hibbs suspended, we have been a bit short of athleticism in midfield, so he’ll bring that.

"Like a lot of the young players we have brought in, we will give him an opportunity to show what he is about. Hopefully, he takes that in the time he is with us."