ALTRINCHAM want to turn Barrow AFC youngster Elliot Newby's loan stay at Moss Lane into a permanent deal.

Newby has just a week remaining on his current deal with the Robins, having made the switch to the National League North strugglers at the start of January.

His three-month stay came after he failed to find a place in Paul Cox's match-day squad at Barrow, spending the first half of the season at Workington, where he made 19 Northern Premier League appearances.

Newby has scored four goals in his time with Altrincham – three in the league and one in the Cheshire Senior Cup – among 15 appearances, though the team are still rooted to the foot of the table and seem certain to be relegated.

Robins boss Matt Doughty is hopeful he will be able to hang on to the youngster, who played under Cox in the National League and FA Trophy last season – though he has struggled to speak with the AFC boss to confirm it will be possible.

He told the Messenger newspaper: “I want to keep Elliot, 100 per cent, and I’m doing everything I can to make it happen.

“I have already spoken to Elliot about it, and he won’t take any persuading. He has loved it here.

“I’ve given him the freedom to do what he wants in the final third, and he has been scoring goals and playing well. It won’t be a further loan, if I have my way. We’ll take his contract over, and he will become an Altrincham player, but I need their manager to pick up his phone first!

“He’s been blanking me, not picking up or answering my texts, but I’ll get through to him, because I need to know what his plans are for Elliot.

“If he’s not going to play him, I hope he’ll let us keep him, because he has been a positive influence from day one and would be a real asset for us.”