Leeds have loaned out teenage stand-off Liam Sutcliffe to struggling neighbours Bradford.
The 19-year-old Sutcliffe joins the Bulls on a month's loan and will fill the void left by Lee Gaskell, who could be absent for up to 12 weeks with a knee injury. Sutcliffe's arrival is a much-needed boost for Bradford, who have been hampered by continual financial problems and lost Australian half-back Jarrod Sammut to Wakefield.
"Liam is a hugely-talented player and we are delighted to have him on board," said Bradford coach Francis Cummins. "He offers us another dimension, both at half-back or even at loose forward, and we expect him to improve our team.
"Our current predicament is being well documented and I would like to take this opportunity to thank Leeds Rhinos for offering us a helping hand. "It is a great gesture and, in return, we hope to offer Liam further Super League experience and even more exposure."
Sutcliffe is set to make his Bulls debut at Hull on Friday and Rhinos coach Brian McDermott, a former Bradford forward, believes his former club will help the youngster progress.
"We were approached by Francis, regarding Liam, and we are happy for him to go to the Bulls for a month," said McDermott, who is also expected to loan winger or full-back Ben Jones-Bishop to Wakefield. "Francis remains a good friend of the club and we know that Liam will be in good hands.
"We saw last season how much Liam developed from the game time he had and this is a great opportunity for him to continue that development.
"As with the other five young players we have away from the club this season, this is a key part of their future progress and the next stage of our development as a club and I am sure Liam will grab the chance with both hands."
The Bulls are back in administration following the withdrawal of directors from Bradford Bulls 2014 Ltd. Prospective buyer London-based businessman Richard Lamb is due to hold more talks with the Rugby Football League on Tuesday after meeting the administrators on Monday.