Whitehaven have taken Barrow Raiders half-back Jake Carter on an initial month’s loan – but coach Gary Charlton is unsure whether to throw him in at the deep end in Friday’s derby with neighbours Workington Town.

The 20-year-old is the son of Darren Carter, who had two spells as a professional with Barrow and also spent two years with Workington Town under former coach Peter Walsh.

Carter, a former Barrow Island amateur and captain of the England Colleges side, signed a three-year deal before the start of this season and has made two appearances so far for the Raiders.

But with limited game time at Craven Park he has been given the opportunity to spend the next month at the Recreation Ground, joining a Whitehaven side which is currently top of League One.

Head coach Gary Charlton had been looking to add the talented youngster to his squad and hopes that, perhaps, the loan could be extended beyond a month.

Charlton said: “He is highly thought of at Barrow and has impressed ‘Cresta’ (coach Paul Crarey) when he has played.

“Jake has had limited game time this season as there are some good halves that he is up against, but he possesses a great kicking game and knows how to take a team round the field. We are really pleased to have him on board and he will add plenty of competition to our squad for the forthcoming matches.”

Charlton says he is still undecided as to whether Carter will go straight into contention for this Friday’s Easter derby versus Workington Town at Derwent Park (kick off 3pm).

But it’s a case of one in and one out at the Recreation Ground, for although Carter has joined the squad, the club has announced the departure of Lewis Brown.

Brown, who joined the club from Salford Red Devils back in 2017, has found new work commitments out of the area.

A Whitehaven spokesman said: “The club is hugely disappointed but we understand that work comes first and we thank Lewis for all of his efforts while with the club and wish him well in the future.”

The Good Friday derby is promising to be a tasty clash with Haven joint top of the table, with Town sitting just two points behind them.

Workington won the opening derby of the season when they lifted the Ike Southward Memorial Trophy back in January, but Haven’s form has taken a huge upturn since the game.