LOAN midfielder Luke Burgess can give added spark to the Barrow AFC midfield as he tests himself in the National League.

The 19-year-old Liverpudlian arrived on a 28-day youth loan from Championship side Wigan Athletic last week, and made his full Bluebirds debut as a substitute in the season-opener against Havant and Waterlooville.

Burgess sat on the bench again on Tuesday as Barrow fell to a 2-0 defeat at FC Halifax Town, and will be involved once more today on the long trip to East London to face Leyton Orient (3pm kick-off).

He finds himself competing for a place in the middle of the park with attacking midfielders John Rooney and Josh Kay – the latter of whom he replaced in the 3-0 win against Havant – but has shown boss Ian Evatt he has something to add to his squad.

Evatt – who is hopeful the initial loan spell can be extended beyond the end of the month should both he, the player and Wigan be happy with the situation – had a good look at Burgess in pre-season.

He made several appearances in friendly matches, having previously worked with AFC assistant boss Peter Atherton in the youth set-up with the Latics. And what Evatt has seen gives him hope that Burgess has a big role to play with Barrow.

“I think he has shown that he is a very talented footballer,” said the Holker Street manager. “He’s got an excellent grounding – Peter Atherton knows him really well and speaks very highly of him.

“He’s come in and shown that he has got no end of ability. It’s important that we have another option in midfield, and he certainly gives us that. He’s able to pick passes, see passes and get on that half-turns to be able to play through the lines into the eight and 10. He’s very active doing that role.”

He added: “He’s fitted in great. We wouldn’t be picking him if he hadn’t done very well. He’s a very sparky player. He’s shown that he has quality, and the sort of qualities he has are what is needed to play for my team.”