PAUL Cox is backing new Barrow AFC loan striker Liam Hearn to be a big hit at Holker Street and hopes he will benefit from linking back up with hot-shot Andy Cook.

Hearn has joined Barrow until January 4, having already bagged eight National League goals for parent club Lincoln City this season.

During almost three full seasons at non-league top-flight side Grimsby Town, the 30-year-old netted 34 times in 72 appearances – 29 of those goals arriving in his first full season.

He was part of the same Mariners squad as 13-goal forward Cook between 2012 and 2014, but Hearn’s progress at Grimsby was curbed by serious injury – he ruptured his Achilles tendon and sustained cruciate knee ligament damage. He was managed by the new Bluebirds boss at Mansfield in the early part of last season, following his Grimsby exit.

And Hearn looks sure to be included in Barrow’s squad for the home clash with Woking today, when Cox will take charge of AFC for the first time (3pm kick-off).

Cox, who yesterday made his first appearance at Holker Street since taking on his new role, said: “At this level of football, Liam is an out-and-out goalscorer, he’s had a fabulous goalscoring record at times during his career.

“He’s had a few problems with injuries over the last few years, but he’s gone to Lincoln and he’s scored goals for them.

“He’s played with Cooky before at Grimsby and I can see that developing into a really nice partnership. Hopefully they will have an understanding right from the off.”

Carlisle striker Steven Rigg – who has scored six goals in 33 League Two appearances for the Cumbrians – also joined Barrow on Thursday before the 5pm deadline for loans expired, with his temporary stay lasting until January 2.

Cox added: “I think Steven is a little bit different to the other two. He’s a little bit industrious, and has obviously got a good pedigree having played at League Two level.

“He’s also capable of scoring goals at this level. What I wanted to do was get a goal threat from more than one source – it just seems to be Cooky that is scoring the goals this season and I wanted to take a bit of pressure off him.”

Cox also revealed that he was blocked in his bid to sign Macclesfield winger Lindon Meikle, who joined the Silkmen on non-contract terms in late September following his release from York City. He has now parted company with Macclesfield.

Meikle – who has previously played under Cox at Eastwood and Mansfield – impressed during AFC training but was not permitted by the Football Association to join a third club at this stage of the season.

But Cox says that he could snare Meikle in the new year.

“We’re going to be looking down the road at maybe the January transfer window and looking at it again,” he said.

The manager also expressed his disappointment that he missed out on the loan signing of Stoke City’s young French midfielder Eddy Lecygne as the Potters were unable to lodge the relevant paperwork before the loan deadline.

Ian Rainford is to temporarily replace Pete Garbacz on the Barrow board with the new director also taking over the role of fan liaison officer. Garbacz has stepped down for family reasons, with his wife recently giving birth.

At this stage the switch is only temporary, as Garbacz is expected to return to the board in the future, although it is not clear when that will happen.