UPDATED: Busy Hatters swoop to sign defensive trio on loan

All three have recently made their senior debuts for parent clubs Brentford, Port Vale and West Ham respectively.

Speaking at today’s press conference, Town chief John Still had said: “We are in the process of a couple of loans coming in just to make sure we don’t encounter any problems during the course of this month when you can’t do anything.

“So as we talk we expect to bring in a couple of defensive additions we hope to be able to cover.”

Dominant defender Mawson, 19, joined the Bees from Reading in 2010 and made his debut for them in their Carling Cup tie with Derby this season.

More recently he has been on loan at Maidenhead United and is unavailable to the Hatters in the FA Trophy having already featured in the competition this season.

Still said: “Alfie took my eye in the development games we had against Brentford and he’s one where you think to yourself ‘he’s got something’.

“I think this loan will test him and push him and I know he’ll be up for the challenge.

“He’s behind the other two (Pelly and David) in terms of experience, but he’s got bags of enthusiasm.”

Defender Davis, 20, is the son of Crewe manager Steve, and he made his debut for Vale when aged just 17 in the 2010-11 campaign, and he is available for this weekend’s encounter against the Swans.

Burnley-born Davis was named the Valiants’ Young Player Of The Year in 2012 and has made 19 appearances in all competitions for Micky Adams’ side, including eight appearances last season as Vale won promotion after finishing third place in League Two.

Still said: “Joe’s played in League Two for Port Vale and I’ve seen him play a number of times.

“With Alex Lacey and Anthony Charles suffering from knocks we felt it right because we didn’t want to be left short and unable to do anything further once the loan window’s closed.

“Joe’s got a bit of experience at a higher level and I think it’s a perfect fit.”

Meanwhile 20-year-old Ruddock, who can also play in midfield, is pictured in action for the Hammers in their development team’s 2-1 loss to the Hatters at Kenilworth Road last month.

He has scored twice in nine Premier League U21 division games this season and made his debut for the Hammers in a Carling Cup tie this season after signing for the East London club from Boreham Wood in 2011.

And Still added: “I’ve known about Pelly since he was at Boreham Wood and, since he’s moved to West Ham, Terry (Harris) and I have always kept an eye on him.

“At West Ham he’s grown in stature and played well against us in two development games.

“He’s strong and powerful, competitive and can play in midfield. We really like him as a player.

“We took a chance asking for him – if you don’t ask, you don’t get – and luckily West Ham have agreed to it.

“I think it’s helped playing those development games against West Ham because they know we try and do things the right way.”