NEW signing Aaron Smith goes straight into the Barrow line-up for tomorrow's first competitive game of the season.

Barrow travel up the West Coast of Cumbria to take on Workington Town in round one of the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup.

Smith is a big addition to the growing squad being assembled at Craven Park following his signing this from Super League side Leigh Leopards.

Smith’s early days were with St Helens where he was understudy to legend James Roby.

And even though Roby pinned down the number nine shirt for almost two decades at Saints, Smith did make around 35 first team appearances during his time there.

Back at Craven Park is promising prospect Harvey Makin, who is on a year-long loan from Wigan.

Makin came to Barrow’s rescue last season, in the midst of a massive injury list that saw several forwards forced out of action.

Makin made five appearances in a Barrow shirt before being recalled by his parent club.

However, Wigan have strengthened their forward pack in the close season, and were only too willing to send the youngster back to Craven Park.

Back after missing last week’s friendly with Hunslet is skipper Jarrad Stack, and he will pack down with close season recruits James Greenwood and Ramon Silva.

Also back is workhorse Charlie Emslie, the former Millom junior has impressed in three pre-season games.

Tom Wilkinson is likely to pack down behind Stack and Greenwood with another close season signing Max Clarke set to come off the bench.

Clarke can operate in the forwards or the back line division, while rewarded for his contribution in the friendly games is Academy forward Finn McMillan, who is included in the 21-man squad.

Ryan Johnston, who came off last Sunday with an arm injury, is cleared to play and will line up at half-back with Brad Walker.

Speaking ahead of the game, head coach Paul Crarey said: “I really am looking forward to the game, we have recruited well, and they will be put to the test against Workington.

“They may be a League One side (Workington), but no matter what division they are in it is always a tough challenge when we play them especially at Derwent Park.

“Although we have had four pre-season games the conditions were not good. We've played in the mud and mire, so we are hoping the weather relents and it is a dry day.

“I am happy with all the new lads that have come in and as a club we must thank the Blue and White Knights and the Supporters Trust who have come up trumps with their funding.

“Our budget was drastically cut, but these consortiums have come to our aid and the squad has been boosted by experienced players coming in.

“Lads like Matty Costello, Aaron Smith, Max Clarke, Ramon Silva and James Greenwood could have gone elsewhere, but they wanted to come to Barrow.”

Set to start his second spell at Town is Jarrad Sammut who left Barrow in the close season after a two-year stint at Craven Park.
Town have some very experienced players in Steve Scholey, Jordan Thompson, Matty Henson and last year’s League One player of the year Ciaran Walker.
The Town squad has a flavouring of young Barrow area players, Ellis Archer and Connor Saunders, join Blain Marwood, Kian McPherson and Jack Stephenson at Derwent Park.
Crarey added “Those lads need game time and I couldn’t guarantee them this at Barrow.
“They will do well up the Coast and there is no reason why they wont return in years to come.”