Alan Knill has brought a left sided defender/midfield player to the club on a month's loan from fellow league two side Aldershot Town.

Howell has not featured in the Shots' first team for the past month, having joined the club from Rushden & Diamonds in the summer.

With his opportunities limited, Shots manager Gary Waddock believes the left-back, who turns 28 on Saturday, will benefit from his stint at Gigg Lane.

"Dean needs first-team matches at the stage of his career that he is at," Waddock told the club's official website.

"We have had a couple of conversations and this loan spell will be beneficial for him because he does figure in our plans.

"Dean has been extremely professional in the way that he has conducted himself and I hope that it all goes well for him."

Meanwhile, shakers assistant manager Chris Wilder, who had Dean at Halifax Town said: "We have no cover for David Buchanan or Mike Jones and Dean will provide that for the next nonth.  I had him at Halifax Town and he played left wing then, he's played at left back at Aldershot and will provide cover for us.  he has plenty of pace and is very direct.  Deano is the type of player that will excite the crowd as well and he will do a job for us."