Bradford (Park Avenue) have loaned in Salford City centre back Jacob Lara on a deal until the end of the season.

Lara has experience in the Under-18s Premier League, while he also spent time at Stalybridge Celtic last season.

He earned a move to Salford City ahead of this season, and has been playing for their reserves in the Central League under Danny Byrne.

Lara was named as a substitute for Avenue’s Northern Premier League Premier Division game at home to Lancaster City on Saturday.

He made his debut for the club sooner than expected too, coming on as a substitute five minutes before half-time after Ted Lavelle, a loanee from FC Halifax Town, was forced off injured.

Avenue were winning 1-0 at the time, and added a second goal early in the second half.

But Lancaster hit back in dramatic fashion, and they brought the game back level with 10 minutes to go, before scoring a last-gasp winner.

The result leaves Avenue, who have lost all of their last eight games, nine points off safety, and Lara’s presence could be key to their chances of a great escape.

The young defender is likely to feature regularly in the absence of Mitch Lund, with the popular centre half and captain currently out injured with a shoulder problem.

Avenue have been forced to plug the gaps in their side with loanees due to many of their best players, like Lund, Jamie Spencer and Will Longbottom, suffering long-term injury lay-offs.

Lavelle, goalkeeper Tom Scott and forward Justin Iwobi are on loan from Halifax.

Earlier this month, young midfielder Bradley Williams arrived on a 28-day loan from Harrogate Town too.

They have also made a couple of short-term signings until the end of the season in Jamie Sharman and Leon Johnson, both of whom joined Avenue earlier this month.