The centre-back has joined Clitheroe on a month’s loan from the National League 'Hatters' and will be available to make a possible debut at City of Liverpool on Saturday.

And boss Phil Brown believes the towering teenager will be a useful addition to his squad, which has leaked 13 goals and conceded five penalties so far this season.

“He spent some time with us in pre-season and I tried to get him then,” said Brown.

“But with Stockport having a lot of games in August and the start of September they didn’t want to let him out at the time.

“They’ve let him come now and I’m chuffed to have got him.

“He’s a commanding figure and should just add a bit of steel and depth to us defensively.”

Downing, who made his National League debut as a substitute in a 2-1 loss at AFC Fylde earlier this month, trained with the Blues on Thursday night and has welcomed the temporary switch.

“I’m looking forward to it. Hopefully, I’ll get some game time and help the team build on a solid start,” said the former County Academy product, who signed a first professional deal at Edgeley Park in May, 2018.

The Blues are currently 10th in the BetVictor North-West Division and looking to move back up the table with a positive result in Saturday’s re-arranged fixture on Merseyside.

On-loan striker Owen Watkinson starts a three-match ban following his sending off after scoring twice in last Saturday’s dramatic 4-4 draw with Runcorn Linnets.

Brown needs to plug that gap up front, but has been encouraged by the Blues’ attacking play as they prepare for the trip to face a Liverpool side sitting second from bottom of the table.

“A lot of our away games have been similar and it’s a case of ‘who blinks first'," added the Blues' boss, whose side has the joint best away record in the division.

“It will be a tough game, but we have been scoring goals and hopefully our athleticism will help us get on top and then it’s a case of cutting out the mistakes in our penalty area and looking to be clinical at the other end.”