BARROW AFC striker Cole Stockton has been praised by boss Pete Wild for 'driving the standards' in his group.

The 29-year-old forward joined the Bluebirds on loan from Burton Albion in the January transfer window and has scored four goals in six league apperances despite Barrow losing their last three league games. 

Two of these goals came last time out in the Bluebirds' 5-3 defeat at the hands of Karl Robinson's Salford City.

Next up for the Bluebirds is a visit from Graham Alexander's in-form Bradford City who have won their last three consecutive league games and ahead of this clash Wild piled the praise on his free-scoring striker.

He said: "There has been a period where the players around him are working out how he plays and he is working out how we play and we have managed to get some good goals out of it.

"We brought him here because of his talents and his goal-scoring ability and we are really pleased with how that has started and how that is going, so long may that continue. 

"Lads around him need to chip in with goals as well and we need to make sure we give him the service he needs

Whilst Stockton has certainly made his mark since joining the Bluebirds, Wild also expressed his delight with how many other players in his squad are also trying to affect a resurgence following the club's tough recent run.

He said: "Cole is one of the many players that are driving the standards. What was pleasing was how after the Salford game there was many players saying their piece and talking about what we need to do, and about standards and holding our nerve so that we are a better version of ourselves.

"We brought Cole in for his experience, but he is not the only one. There are lots of people in the dressing room driving the standards and driving the team forward."