DARREN Edmondson has urged Dave Symington to build on his encouraging weekend display and hinted that the versatile operator has a good chance of earning an extended stay in Furness.

The 21-year-old joined Barrow on a three-month deal ahead of the season after he recovered from a dislocated knee-cap injury picked up last term.

Workington-born Symington started two of Barrow’s first three National League games, operating in a wide midfield role, but the ex-Carlisle man was struck down by a hamstring problem in the 4-0 defeat at Forest Green Rovers on August 15.

He overcame that injury but had to wait until Saturday to be handed his recall to AFC’s league starting-XI, replacing the injured George Williams (foot) at right-back.

And Symington produced a solid display, in a defensive role he has performed before, as Barrow were held to a 1-1 home draw by National League bottom club Kidderminster Harriers.

Barrow boss Edmondson said of his performance: “I thought he did well, he is predominantly a right-back.

“He gets played further forward at times because his delivery is very good. But I can’t remember too many instances where his positioning was wrong or where he was beaten and he was up against a decent winger to be fair.

“So, overall, it was very positive.

“He’s got to believe in himself. We’ve seen some indifferent 30-minute displays from him but generally on Saturday he was very good.

“He did everything that was asked of him and he looked very assured as if he had been playing there all season.”

Symington has made four starts for Barrow overall.

He was part of the Lancashire

Senior Cup team beaten on penalties by Blackburn Rovers under-21s and has also made three substitute league appearances.

Edmondson will have a big decision to make if full-back Williams is declared fit for Saturday’s clash at Altrincham.

Symington will be hoping to get the nod at right-back or possibly in a more advanced role as he continues his bid to earn a fresh AFC deal in the not-too-distant-future.

Asked if Symington still has a good chance of being offered new terms if he continues to make strides forward, Edmondson added: “Yes, we’re backing him, that’s why we put the deal together very early because we know what he can bring, we know what he does and what you saw on Saturday was more what Dave Symington is about.

“He was physical in his tackles, he won his headers and in one-on-one situations he was very good.

“His delivery is always good although there was one or two decisions, in possession of the ball in the first half, which could have been better.

“But that’s his first game back, he wants to impress and sometimes you make one or two poor decisions on the back of trying to impress too much.”

So, is Edmondson open-minded about Symington’s long-term Barrow future?

“Yes, Dave will be fine going forward,” he said.