BRADFORD (Park Avenue) manager Mark Bower is glad to have Huddersfield Town youngster Shane Maroodza back on loan for a second time this season.

The left-back links up with his Terriers team-mate, centre-half David Adewoju, at the National League North side, which Bower thinks will be of benefit for both teenagers.

Maroodza's last game at Horsfall was Avenue's 1-0 defeat to Kidderminster Harriers in late August, with Kiddy also the opponents for Bower's side tomorrow.

But Maroodza has been no stranger over the last five months, with Bower saying: "We're glad Shane is back.

"It worked well when he was here before and he enjoyed it, so much so that he's been back to watch some of our matches since.

"I hope he continues progressing with us and gains the experience he needs to further his career.

"David will be familiar with Shane too, and it can't harm to have them both in the team.

"It was difficult for David last week on his debut at Spennymoor, because he'd not had any training sessions with us beforehand, but I thought he did well."

Avenue were without striker Jordan Preston at Town last Saturday in their 3-2 defeat, given he is a Spennymoor player.

But his loan at Horsfall has now been extended beyond its initial date of February 14 until the end of the season.

Bower said: "Jordan's been good for us and hasn't just showed his qualities with his goals (three in seven games so far).

"He's added more than just that goal threat, because he's experienced and wants the ball wherever he can get it.

"We've now got a quality player, who improves us, until the end of the season."

Preston is back for Avenue's away trip to Kidderminster tomorrow, with the visitors just two points above the drop zone.

The Harriers are only seven points clear of danger themselves, a poor season by their standards.

Bower said: "I'm expecting us to face a really good team this weekend.

"Kiddy keep the ball well and they're technically a great side.

"They won't have been expecting to be so low down the table at this stage of the season, but it's a tight league.

"They're certainly capable of making a charge to get into the play-offs at the end of the season."

Bower felt a draw would have been a fair reflection of last weekend's game at Spennymoor.

But arguably the injuries Avenue picked up were more costly than the defeat.

Bower said: "The groundstaff up there did a great job getting the game on, but Mitch Lund slipped in the warm-up and injured his back.

"He started the game but he quickly realised it was too painful to manage.

"Simon Richman took a whack, as did Will Longbottom.

"Reece Staunton is injured and currently suspended anyway, while Jamie Spencer is struggling with his hamstring.

"Lundy, Reece and Jamie are out of the Kiddy game, and I'd call Will and Simon doubtful."

All five would have almost certainly missed the home game with Scarborough Athletic on Monday, but that was called off due to the snowy and icy conditions in and around the ground.

Bower said: "When you play at this level, you're going to get games off for the weather and you have to just deal with it.

"We've taken a bit of stick for the postponement, because we have the artificial surface, but it's not an all-weather pitch really.

"When there's snow, you can't help having to call the game off, and it's been interesting to hear some of the comments and criticism levelled at us this week.

"We've tried to use the unexpected blank week to fully prepare for Kidderminster, but it's been difficult to do any training, as we can't use the pitch with snow on it."