PHIL Parkinson has added defensive strength to his Altrincham squad and increased his options at the back by signing Accrington Stanley’s Harry Perritt on loan for the rest of the season.

The versatile 21-year old, primarily a right-back but equally able to operate at centre-half or in midfield, would have made his Alty debut against Weymouth last Saturday, but for the game being called off.

Weymouth were due to make the long trip up from the Dorset coast on the day Storm Eunice took hold last Friday, but when the police advised against travelling, the game was put back to a date yet to be agreed.

After training with his new team-mates during the week, Perritt is now in line to make a belated first appearance for the Robins against Dagenham and Redbridge at The J.Davidson Stadium on Saturday (3pm), as Parkinson’s side bid to put further distance between themselves and the National League drop zone.

With 15 games remaining, he should prove a valuable addition to the Alty ranks, and he underlined his eagerness to help safeguard their place in the National League by tweeting: “Happy to sign for Altrincham for the rest of the season - can’t wait to get going.”

Knowsley-born, the 6ft 1ins defender, who turned 21 last week, has made a handful of first-team appearances for Accrington in League One and the Papa John’s EFL Trophy since having the bizarre misfortune to suffer a broken arm on August 21st, 2019 and a broken ankle on August 21st, 2020.

As Perritt moved in at Moss Lane, centre-back Kennedy Digie was heading out after agreeing to join National League North strugglers Farsley Celtic on loan.

The 25-year old defender, who has made 10 appearances for the Robins this season, including eight starts, will spend the next month at Farsley, who are currently bottom of the table, one point behind AFC Telford United with a game in hand and five behind Guiseley.