GEORGE Williams hopes his Barrow AFC loan deal will be extended and has been boosted by the confirmation that he has escaped serious injury.

The 22-year-old right-back has made a positive impression at Holker Street since arriving on a three-month temporary deal from League One Barnsley in August, making nine starts for the Bluebirds.

So much so that manager Darren Edmondson says, at this stage, he intends to try and extend the defender’s loan stay when his initial deal runs out in November.

Those positive overtones would have hugely encouraged Williams, who is fulfilling his aim of playing regularly, having only been handed limited opportunities to shine on the first-team stage at his parent club.

“I’m loving my time at Barrow, it’s been absolutely brilliant and I’m playing football which is the most important thing,” said Williams.

“It’s a case of Barrow and Barnsley speaking, I’m absolutely loving it here so I’d love to stay.

“I’ve been playing week-in, week-out and the manager has put his trust in me, and Barrow have a really good group of lads.

“Honestly, I like everything about the club and it’s just really good to be back playing, we’re doing well and hopefully we can keep a good run going.

“I personally want to extend my stay, but obviously it would be a case of Barrow and Barnsley talking it through.

“I’m sure Barnsley will be keen to keep me playing. It’s still early in the loan spell and I’m sure Barnsley just want what’s best for me.”

Williams’ Tykes deal runs out at the end of the season, but the articulate and intelligent Williams is not giving much thought to his long-term future.

He added: “I’m just really enjoying playing football again and I want to do my best for the team.

“I haven’t really thought too much about next season.

“My contract runs out at the end of the season, so I’ve just got to keep doing what I’m doing.

“I still think there’s more to come from me so I’ve got to keep improving, keep playing and we’ll see what happens.”

Williams’ run in the AFC side came

to an end last weekend when he was ruled out of the home clash with Kidderminster Harriers after picking up a foot injury.

He subsequently returned to Barnsley at the start of this week to be assessed, and the ex-Worcester City man hopes that he will be declared fit ahead of Saturday’s National League fixture at Altrincham.

“I went for a scan just to make sure that the injury was nothing serious and it came back with positive results – there’s no fracture or anything like that, so that’s a good sign,” explained Williams.

“I got treatment on Monday and Tuesday and I’ll get some more on Thursday (today) and I think I’ll maybe be ready to train on Thursday or Friday.

“It’s improving well, so I think I’ll be all right for the weekend, I’ve just got to keep my fingers crossed and hope there are no setbacks.”

Dave Symington replaced Williams at right-back in last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Harriers.

After the former Carlisle player produced an encouraging display, Edmondson is likely to have a tough selection decision on his hands if Williams sufficiently recovers ahead of the weekend.

Williams is well aware of that competition and, in understanding that ‘nobody’s place is guaranteed in any team’, he says he will just focus on working hard in training and trying to win his fitness race.

Assessing his Barrow displays so far, he added: “I think I’ve been improving with each game.

“Going from not playing week-in, week-out for quite a long time to playing, you’re not going to be at your best straight away.

“So I think there’s definitely more to come, but I feel like I’m doing well.

“I’ve just got to keep my head down and hopefully the performances will come.”