Fleetwood Town sign Morecambe's Kieran Charnock on loan

Preston-born Charnock started his career at Premier League Wigan

Fleetwood Town have signed defender Kieran Charnock on loan from League Two Morecambe until 3 January.

Charnock, 27, will provide cover after the Blue Square Bet Premier promotion hopefuls suffered injuries in defence.

Manager Micky Mellon told BBC Radio Lancashire: "We've lost Steve McNulty to ankle ligament damage so that's three recognised centre-halves out.

"We didn't want to leave ourselves open to putting square pegs in round holes during an important month."

The former Wigan trainee joined Morecambe on a free transfer from Torquay United during the summer, after a successful loan spell, but has yet to start a league fixture.

Shrimps boss Jim Bentley told the Morecambe club website: "Kieran has not been able to feature many times for us and needs to be playing.

"This move will give him the chance to up his match fitness levels."

Charnock is the second player to join Fleetwood in the last week after left-winger Ryan Crowther came in from Hyde United.