WITTON Albion announced on Friday the signing of River Humphreys from Widnes.

A central defender, the 27-year-old is available for selection when Carl Macauley’s men travel to Stalybridge Celtic for a Northern Premier League fixture on Saturday, kick-off 3pm.

His arrival helps to address a chronic shortage of cover after three defenders – Anthony Gardner, Anthony Brown and Nick Ryan – all suffered injuries in the past month.

Front man Rob Hopley started a New Year’s Day success at Altrincham at the heart of Albion’s back-line.

Humphreys helped Widnes to the title, and with it promotion, in the North West Counties League’s second-tier last season.

He started the current campaign at Radcliffe before a brief spell at Runcorn Linnets, where he was picked by supporters as their player of the year two seasons ago.

Three starts at Widnes followed, including two last month, when he went back to there in November.

He also counts Warrington and AFC Liverpool among his previous clubs.