Harrogate Town address goalkeeper injury issues with loan signing of Bolton Wanderers' Luke Hutchinson

Both of the Sulphurites’ senior stoppers are currently contending with injury issues, and neither Mark Oxley nor summer signing Rory Watson are expected to be 100 percent fit for this weekend’s National League clash with Tamworth.

Oxley, who started each of Town’s first four games of the new season, has had to have multiple injections in his hip in recent weeks, leading to Watson taking over between the sticks against Gateshead and then Scunthorpe.

But, a groin problem meant that the former York City custodian had to be replaced by Oxley at half-time as Simon Weaver’s men beat the Iron 2-0 on Saturday.

Thus, with both men struggling, Harrogate have made the decision to bolster their ranks with the addition of 24-year-old Hutchinson on a three-month deal.

And the Trotters goalkeeper arrives with a useful amount of National League experience having spent last term with Altrincham, where he made 44 appearances on his way to winning the club’s Young Player of the Season award.

Hutchinson joined Bolton at the age of eight and has remained with Wanderers ever since, earning his first professional contract in 2021.

He was subsequently loaned out to non-league outfits Atherton Collieries, Bamber Bridge and Marine before undertaking a brief stint in League One with Crawley during the 2024/25 campaign.

His only taste of senior action with the Trotters came during an EFL Trophy clash with Aston Villa Under-21s in August 2024.

Hutchinson will wear the number 34 shirt at Wetherby Road.