Last updated at 20:20, Monday, 18 June 2012

BARROW AFC defender Mike Pearson has promised Andy Cook a hard time when the striker returns to Furness Building Society Stadium next season.

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Cook turned down a new contract offer from Barrow to leave and join Blue Square Bet Premier rivals Grimsby Town earlier this month.

Pearson, meanwhile, put pen to paper on a new short-term deal with the Bluebirds while he continues his recovery from a broken leg and ankle, suffered seven months ago.

Like Cook, winger Jack Mackreth also snubbed a fresh offer from Barrow to depart for a divisional rival in the shape of Macclesfield, with 24-year-old Pearson saying: “Cooky and Jack did really well for us last season.

“Cooky scored 17 league goals and Jack was dangerous with all his assists and pace.

“But I’m sure Bayles (Barrow manager Dave Bayliss) will bring similar types of players in, possibly better, so hopefully that will be the case.”

It could be that Pearson, who looks set to be used at centre-half next season, will be handed the task of keeping Cook quiet when Barrow and Grimsby clash.

“Cooky can expect a hard time when he comes back to Barrow next season, definitely!” said the Bluebirds’ longest serving current player, who joined the club in 2008 and has made 132 appearances.

Like his older brother, 20-year-old Shaun Pearson also signed a new contract with Barrow last week.

The goalkeeper made 18 appearances for the Bluebirds last season and was one of the club’s most improved performers.

He will again compete with the experienced Danny Hurst for the right to stand between the Barrow sticks in 2012/13.

Mike Pearson said: “Shaun came on a lot last season.

“I think everyone saw that once he played a number of games his confidence grew and grew.

“It was just devastating for him that he got injured (knee ligaments) when he did in the penultimate month of the season because he could have gone on and finished the season really strong.

“Having Danny and Shaun there is always good for us as defenders.”

First published at 13:28, Monday, 18 June 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk