Barrow AFC defender Matt Elsdon has joined Northern Premier League side Whitby Town on a one-month loan.

The 22-year-old centre-back will be available for the Seasiders’ match against Grantham Town this afternoon for what will be his first competitive game for the season.

Elsdon signed for the Bluebirds on a two-year contract last summer after his release from Middlesbrough, but only made six appearances in his first season, largely due to injury.

He holds the unusual statistic of his first three appearances for AFC all coming against the same opponent, FC Halifax Town.

Elsdon was, however, down the pecking order by the end of the campaign and hasn’t been used by manager Ian Evatt in the current one, despite him being short of cover at the back.

With Barrow signing fellow centre-back Matt Platt on loan from Blackburn Rovers on Friday, his opportunities in the near future appeared to be limited.