TEENAGER loan star Jordon Thompson will only keep getting better and better after an impressive first month at Barrow AFC.

The Bluebirds extended the 18-year-old’s spell at Holker Street from League Two play-off contenders Coventry City for a further four weeks yesterday, taking his stay up until November 14.

Manager Micky Moore has been impressed with what he has seen of the young centre-half since he arrived on an initial one-month youth loan from the Sky Blues on September 15.

He has played every minute of every game for Barrow since then, but his stay was due to expire on Saturday – ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup fourth qualifying round trip to Shaw Lane.

However, the clubs have agreed to extend the deal, taking in the Bluebirds’ National League fixtures against Ebbsfleet United, Chester, Aldershot Town and Macclesfield Town, as well as the FA Cup match and any potential first-round encounter, should AFC advance.

Moore heaped praise on the youngster for his displays for AFC, and thanked City and boss Mark Robins for allowing him to remain with the National League club to continue his development.

“I’ve watched a lot of Coventry Under-23s, and I’ve got a good relationship with Mark Robins,” said Moore. “He was happy for Jordan’s development for him to come out to us – he believes it will do him the world of good playing senior games of football.

“Jordan is really happy to be here. He wants to play, he’s happy, and it’s good for the next stage of his development.

“I’m grateful to Coventry for believing in us, letting him come to us, and letting me help them help him in the next stage of his development.”

He added: “He’s an 18-year-old who has gone from playing under-23s to adult football, for three points. I think anyone who has watched him will have seen that as each game has gone on, he has got better and better. I think he will continue to get better and better.

“I’ve been happy with him. It’s a big ask to go straight into men’s football as an 18-year-old, and I think he has taken to it like a duck to water.”

Thompson made his fifth appearance in the heart of the Barrow defence in the 2-2 draw against Leyton Orient on Saturday.

He arrived following long-term injuries to Dave Nieskens (knee) and Thierry Audel (broken arm), and has since seen fellow centre-half Moussa Diarra (hamstring) sidelined until December.

As a result, Thompson has yet to play in the same defence twice, with Liam Hughes drafted in alongside him and recent recruit Tony Diagne on Saturday, with Jimmy Dunne switched to full-back following a knee problem picked up by Dan Jones.

He and Dunne – on loan from Burnley – are the only two men to have played in the defence in all of the five matches since Thompson’s arrival, and Moore was quick to credit the two teenagers for their efforts.

He said: “He’s 18 years of age, you look at Jimmy Dunne, who’s 19 years of age, we’ve got a very young two centre-halves. It’s fantastic for their development, and it’s good that Burnley and Coventry believe that we’re the right club for their development.

“I’m more than pleased with how Jordon has excelled and is playing, and long may it continue.”