Barrow AFC v Harrogate Town: Sulphurites won't take any risks with Stephen Dooley

The 30-year-old midfielder has started each of the Sulphurites’ four League Two matches this term, but was withdrawn in the 63rd minute of Tuesday night’s 2-0 win over Gillingham due to a groin issue.

Town will wait until Friday to make a decision on whether to include Dooley on their squad for this weekend’s trip to Cumbria, with Weaver wary of aggravating what is thought at this stage to be a “niggle” rather than severe muscle damage.

"We won’t risk Stephen on Saturday if there’s any chance he’s not right,” the Harrogate boss explained.

"I’d rather leave him out for one game and the lad get himself right, than risk him potentially doing himself some serious damage and then he’s out for the long term.

"We had to take Stephen off [at Gillingham] because he was feeling his groin, which he’s felt for the past week or so, just niggling him.

"You could see a few grimaces on the pitch, so it was precautionary and we’ll have to make sure that he’s okay.”

Town were without goalkeeper Pete Jameson at Gillingham due to him suffering with heat stroke sustained during last weekend’s goalless draw at home to Crawley.

The 29-year-old stopper is however due to return to training on Friday and is therefore expected to be available for selection up in Cumbria.

Centre-halves Rory McArdle and Will Smith, midfielder Josh Falkingham and winger Max Wright remain sidelined through injury, though Falkingham is closing in on a return to action.

Town head to Barrow fresh off the back of Tuesday’s 2-0 victory down in Kent, their second success in four League Two matches this term and one which lifted them up to eighth place in the table.

And, despite being ranked alongside Harrogate as one of the bookmakers’ favourites for relegation from the fourth tier, the Cumbrians have been in even better form during the early weeks of 2022/23.

The Bluebirds currently sit in fifth position with nine points from a possible 12 and having won two out of two at home thus far.

"I think that this one will probably be our toughest test yet,” Simon Weaver added.

"They are rejuvenated under their new manager. He’s done a great job there already has Pete Wild, just as he did at Halifax. He’s made his mark already and deserves all of the credit he’s been getting.

"They’ve got some quality in their side, they’ve got some good experience, and they are absolutely full of energy. From what I’ve seen, they are as effective as anyone in this division when it comes to winning the ball back, so we know we have to pass it well on Saturday.

"Barrow also have a very passionate set of fans who will be baying for blood, so we’ve just got to make sure that we are as professional on the pitch as we were on Tuesday night and give ourselves the best opportunity to do well.”