ROCHDALE HORNETS have brought in Widnes prop Jack Houghton on loan for a month to help provide cover after a glut of early-season injuries.
The 29-year-old is available for Sunday’s trip to Whitehaven, with Sheffield hooker Reiss Butterworth also in the squad.
Butterworth, 27, has signed on a one-week deal to cover for the absence of Hornets captain Ross Whitmore, who is with Scotland in Las Vegas.
Rochdale had the previous week taken Sheffield prop Marcus Green on loan, with the 22-year-old involved in the 42-6 home defeat by Hunslet.
Houghton is in his second spell at Widnes, having come through the club’s old development system but not made the first team.
He went on to have three spells at North Wales Crusaders, totalling 118 appearances with 22 tries, and turned out 18 times for Swinton in 2024.
He joined Widnes over the close-season and played for them in the Challenge Cup second-round win at amateurs Thatto Heath and Championship victory at Workington.
“It’s been a bruising and pretty relentless start to the new season, and we have suffered several injuries which are limiting (coach) Gary Thornton’s options,” said Rochdale chairman Andy Mazey.
“We are grateful to (Widnes coach) Allan Coleman and the club for allowing Jack to join us.
“He is a big, strong, experienced middle unit who played with (Rochdale halfback) Jamie Dallimore at North Wales, so we know what we are getting. He will help bolster our pack at an important time.”