Bradford City have signed Jordan Bowery on loan from Rotherham United.

The 24-year-old striker will be at the club for just under two months, with his deal to expire on January 2, 2016.

Bowery played 36 games for Rotherham last season, scoring five goals, but has struggled for as much playing time this year, scoring one goal in his eight appearances in all competitions.

Thus, it is a loan that can suit all parties as Bradford look to provide their attack with the injury cover required.

Target man needed to fill in for the two injured

The move has materialised due to injuries to City's two towering strikers, James Hanson and Steven Davies.

The latter has been out for a month, but still has another two months of his sidelined spell to serve after damaging the medial ligament in his knee in Bradford's 2-1 win over Bury.

Billy Clarke's recent return from a similar injury has meant that Davies, a summer signing from Blackpool, has not been missed as much as he could have been, with Clarke providing another attacking option whilst Hanson covered the target man role that he and Davies had rotated in so far.

However, Hanson was forced off injured in the second half of Bradford's 2-0 FA Cup win over Aldershot in midweek, and it has since been revealed that he has suffered ankle ligament damage that will keep him out for a lengthy period of time.

Therefore, manager Phil Parkinson has acted promptly in recruiting another six foot tall striker, bringing in Bowery from local rivals Rotherham who, incidentally, scored his first ever senior goal against the Bantams whilst playing for Chesterfield four years ago.

Hanson one of a number of injuries in the Bantams' squad

As well as Hanson and Davies being sidelined, Bradford are also struggling for fitness in defence at the moment having seen two players return from international duties with slight knocks.

The Yorkshire side have improved massively at the back in recent games, conceding just two goals in their last nine outings, but they could be without two first choice defenders when they travel to Scunthorpe United this weekend.

Left-back James Meredith has returned from time with Australia boasting his first two caps for them, but also carrying a foot injury that puts him in doubt for Saturday's game.

Fortunately, in his absence, summer signing Greg Leigh has shone, scoring a wonderful goal in the cup victory on Wednesday, and so this is unlikely to be as big a headache for Parkinson.

However, Reece Burke could also be missing with a ligament strain in his knee, meaning Nathan Clarke will have to fill in in the centre of the defence once more alongside Rory McArdle.

The former Leyton Orient man has helped the side keep two consecutive clean sheets whilst Burke has been with England's under-20s, but the promising West Ham United loanee is certainly the preferred option at the back.

Bowery could make his debut in the Scunthorpe game, though that is subject to match clearance.

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About the author
Ameé Ruszkai
Head of the Sunderland, Swansea City and women football sections at VAVEL UK. Email: [email protected]