BARROW AFC boss Pete Wild says defender Rory Feely is getting his chance to shine.

The Bluebirds manager admitted that skipper Niall Canavan has been ruled out for a number of weeks.

And that had led to an opportunity for Feely.

Wild said: “Unfortunately, Niall is worse than we first thought.

“He is going to be out for up to four weeks with a pulled calf.

“He pulled it in training last Friday, which is disappointing, but like I have always said that is why we have a big squad and it’s next man up.”

That man has been Irishman Feely, and Wild says that while the players has done well so far, they are looking to get even more from him.

 “Rory is filling the void (left by Canavan) at the moment,” he added.

“Defensively he has been fantastic, but we are going to keep working with him to get him to be better on the ball.

“I have always said to the lads that are not in team or the squad, I can’t tell you when your chance will come, but you’d best be ready when it does come.”

Feely himself is relishing the chance to step up as part of the Bluebirds’ defensive unit.

Speaking after the 1-1 draw away to Walsall in midweek, he told the club’s official Facebook page that he was eager to make the most of his opportunity.

He added that he also looking at how he could improve and how he could help fill the gap left by the club captain.