Barrow AFC have brought in another young forward after signing Jack Vale on loan until the end of the season from Championship club Blackburn Rovers.

Bluebirds manager Ian Evatt has moved to fill the hole in his squad left by the departure of last season’s top scorer Jack Hindle, who is now on loan himself at National League North side Gateshead.

Vale, who turned 19 on Tuesday, has been with Blackburn since signing from Welsh side The New Saints aged 14 and he has been a regular in Rovers’ under-23 team this season.

He has also broken into Wales’ under-21 squad this season, making his debut at that level against Moldova in October, the month where he also signed a new contract at Blackburn that will last until the summer of 2023.

Evatt said: "He's very highly rated and he's recently signed a new long-term deal with Blackburn.

"When I spoke to Blackburn and I was told that he would be available to come to us, it was no-brainer, really, because with Jack Hindle going out on loan we were probably a striker light, so we've moved pretty quickly to get him in.

"He's a very talented young player, physically strong, quick, dynamic and fits the right demographic for what we try to sign.

"I've spoken to a lot of people about him and they rate him very highly, so hopefully he'll come in and hit the ground running and help us over the line."

Vale is the third player from Blackburn to join AFC on loan this season, after centre-back Matt Platt and midfielder Tom White, who have both proved a success.

Evatt said: "Blackburn see him as being part of their first team next season, so they wanted him to get some experience of men's football and obviously with the relationship we've got there, we were a perfect fit for him.

"Again, thanks to Blackburn for helping us out, but also we'll be helping them in terms of the development of their players."