Rovers have strengthened their relationship with National League leaders Barrow with highly rated forward Jack Vale joining on loan.

The Bluebirds already have Rovers pair Matty Platt and Tom White on loan, while former Under-23s captain Lewis Hardcastle made a permanent switch last season after an initial loan spell.

Vale was the subject of interest from EFL clubs in the January transfer window, with his switch to Barrow representing his first taste of senior football.

The Wales youth international turned 19 earlier this week, and has long been tipped for bright future at Rovers who have already tied him down on a long-term contract through to 2023.

The versatile forward has become a key part of Billy Barr’s Under-23s side this season, scoring five times and laying on six assists, and he has signed a deal at Barrow through to April 25 which will be extended should the Bluebirds finish in the play-off spots.

Vale will hope to make his debut in this weekend’s game with Notts County, with Ian Evatt’s side currently five points clear at the top of the table with 10 games remaining, and dreaming of a return to the Football League for the first time in 48 years.

Vale, who has been with Rovers since the age of 14, shot to prominence in the FA Youth Cup two seasons ago, netting a superb hat-trick in a 5-1 victory over Nottingham Forest.

The talented teenager continued his progress last term, helping Rovers Under-23s secure a fifth-place finish in Premier League 2, before scoring in the Lancashire FA Senior Cup final victory over local rivals Burnley.

Midfielder White has played 17 times for Barrow since joining on loan in November and has scored twice, including one in the weekend win over Dagenham & Redbridge.

Central defender Platt meanwhile, who has played three times for the Rovers first-team and spent the first half of last season on loan at Accrington Stanley, has featured 28 times.

Rovers aren’t blessed with attacking options in their Under-23s ranks, with Dan Butterworth set to miss the remainder of the season with a back problem.

Barr’s side are next in action on Monday when they host Wolves in the last 16 of the Premier League Cup.

Rovers booked their place in the knockout round of the competition having won four of their five group matches so far, securing top spot in their group.

They will play their last 16 tie against Group H runners-up Wolves, but whatever the result of the game at Leyland on Monday (7pm), they will still need to play their final group game against Burnley.

That has twice been postponed because of the weather, with scheduled games at Morecambe and Oldham last month falling foul of the weather, as did last week’s scheduled Premier League 2 fixture against Liverpool.

After Monday’s game with Wolves, they welcome Chelsea to Ewood Park on Monday, March 16 (7pm) looking to make sure of a second successive season in the top flight of Academy football, currently sitting five points above the dropzone with five games to play.