Whitehaven have completed the loan signing of half back Dan Coates from Newcastle Thunder.

Coates joins from Haven's fellow Betfred Championship club for the next month.

The 22-year-old arrives at the Recreation Ground ahead of Sunday's Cumbrian derby clash at Barrow Raiders.

Coates started the campaign with London Broncos and has since made six appearances for Newcastle.

The signing follows the loss of loan half back Cesar Rouge earlier this week.

Haven head coach Jonty Gorley said: "Dan will give us cover at half and possibly 9. This is cover we desperately need as it's well documented that Caesar had to return to France.

"On top of this Geronimo Doyle has re-injured his arm last week which means I will be playing Karl Dixon in the centre, so I needed another half.

"I nearly signed Dan at the start of this season only for him to try his luck down in the capital with London, which I can understand being an attraction for a young lad.

"Dan will take some pressure off Nikau [Williams] in the kicking department as he has a good kicking game.

"Add to this Dan is quite a smart player with ball in hand, so hopefully we will see Dan at his best."

Director Ashley Kilpatrick confirmed Haven had been chasing Coates for some time and he added: "He’s a young half with a good kicking game on him, and scored a lot of points when playing for Coventry in 2021.

"Thanks to Jordan Robinson and Dennis Betts for making the move happen.”