PAUL Cox is still looking for more players to add to his Barrow AFC squad after landing striker Dan Cockerline earlier this month.

The Bluebirds have 23 registered players on their books after recruiting Cockerline, but not all of them are available.

Youngster Elliot Newby has been loaned to Workington, while Andy Parry is on the long-term injured list after damaging his knee ligaments.

Loan recruit Dom Smith and new signing Harry Panayiotou have both been on international duty of late – with Wales Under-21s and Saint Kitts and Nevis respectively – while Cockerline has not been able to play due to a suspension picked up at former club Northwich.

Added to that, Andy Coughlin is the reserve goalkeeper, and Ryan Yates and Akil Wright are both on loan, from Nottingham Forest and Fleetwood Town respectively, Liam Hughes has just served a one-match ban and Jordan Williams has one upcoming.

Cox is well aware the situation could become stark should any of his other current first-team line-up pick up injuries or suspensions, and is still on the lookout for reinforcements.

“We’re running with a small squad,” the AFC manager said.

“We’re competing against squads of 30, 35 players, with quality in depth. It’s something we’re mindful of, something I have spoken with the chairman (Paul Casson) about, and something where we’ve got to be sure it’s well thought-out about who we bring in, where we bring them in and when, to make sure we don’t shift the dynamics in this group. It’s a good group of honest players, and the right people have to come in, with the right personality.

“I do think the squad needs strengthening. They’re tight-knit, they’ve got a fabulous group mentality, but we need to strengthen now.

“We need to make sure that we go into a part of the season where there will be heavy grounds, suspensions, and we need to improve not just the numbers but the quality in depth.”

He added: “The discussions with the chairman will be key in terms of the strength in depth, bring good people in who are going to improve us, but not waste silly money on silly players, just because we feel we need to strengthen.

"The right players have to come into the squad now and give us a nice little push in the right direction – there is nothing better when you are feeling a little bit fatigued than to see a fresh face come in the dressing room who might be playing in your position. All of a sudden, that fatigue drifts away."