Cox hopes Tomlinson can fire in the goals for Barrow AFC

The 26-year-old Bees man – who played under new Bluebirds assistant boss Gary Simpson at Lincoln City – was due to be available to play against Eastleigh tomorrow before the game was called off due to a waterlogged pitch.

AFC boss Paul Cox, who saw Tomlinson in action against Barrow last month during a loan spell at Tranmere Rovers, had previously tried to bring him in when he was first appointed in November.

He is hopeful the new signing can make an impact for the Holker Street club, and said: “We made an enquiry early on, when I first arrived at the club, but he had just come back from Grimsby at that time and it wasn’t going to happen.

“I’ve come across Ben on numerous occasions when he was at Lincoln, Macclesfield and at Alfreton. He’s got a good goals record at this level of football and I hope he will add that bit extra to us.

“He’s an experienced campaigner. He’s coming to us at a good age and he has probably been a little bit unlucky at Barnet.

“We hope that he is going to come in, hit the ground running and score goals for us.”

Tomlinson has had loan spells with Barrow’s National League rivals Tranmere and Grimsby Town this season, having joined Barnet from Lincoln, where he netted 32 league goals in 85 appearances, on a two-year deal in the summer.

He previously came up against AFC during his time at Alfreton Town in the Conference, having begun his professional career at Macclesfield Town following a move from Worksop Town.

Barrow had hoped to secure his services until the end of the season, but the Bees wanted an initial month-long deal. The Bluebirds hope they may be able to extend it if it proves successful.

Tomlinson is the second new face to arrive at Barrow this week, following a youth loan deal for Everton winger Michael Donohue.

The 18-year-old was also set to make his AFC bow this weekend, and Cox is hopeful he too can have a positive effect when Barrow next take to the field.

“Michael has been training with us and he looks sharp,” said Cox. “He will give us a lot of pace on the flanks, with ability as well.

“He was recommended to us and we went to have a look at him. Everton hold him in high regard and he’s a young lad with a very promising future.

“It might take him a game or two to acclimatise to the pace and ruggedness of the National League, but he’s a lad with ability.

“They are two very good additions to the squad we have made this week.”