FC Halifax Town have bolstered their defensive options by signing right-back Lucas Houghton on a month-long loan from Championship side Blackburn Rovers. The 19-year-old will be available for Saturday's home fixture against Yeovil Town.
Houghton made his senior debut for Blackburn in a Carabao Cup defeat to Sheffield United in August. He also featured in their 0-0 Championship draw at Lincoln last month, gaining valuable first-team experience.
His arrival provides immediate competition in a position where injuries have stretched the squad. AJ Warburton and Max Bardell are sidelined, leaving Dylan Crowe as the only other senior right-back option for manager Chris Millington. The move strengthens a Halifax side sitting 10th in the National League with 24 points from 16 games, a record of seven wins, three draws and six losses. The team has scored 28 goals and conceded 20 this season, giving them a goal difference of plus eight. They are currently 20 points behind the league leaders, Boreham Wood.
Houghton will be eligible for selection when Halifax host Yeovil at The Shay on Saturday, a side they beat 2-0 just days ago with goals from C. Johnson and W. Flint. That victory was part of a recent run of three wins and one draw from their last five matches, a sequence that also includes a 2-3 loss to Barrow, a 2-2 draw at Southend, and wins over South Shields and Gateshead. Following that, his loan period will cover the away trip to 13th-placed Kidderminster Harriers on Saturday 14 November. The team's top scorer this season is S. Johnson with 10 goals.
The teenager's addition comes as Halifax look to build on a recent run of three wins from their last five matches. The club confirmed the deal on Thursday.
