BARROW AFC have suffered a massive blow with first-choice goalkeeper Joel Dixon likely to be sidelined for the season.

The ex-Sunderland junior fell awkwardly during the latter stages of Tuesday night’s 3-0 National League home win over Guiseley and was taken from the field on a stretcher. Scans have revealed Dixon has suffered cruciate ligament damage in his left knee.

The diagnosis means it is unlikely the 22-year-old will play again this season and leaves manager Paul Cox with just reserve goalie Andy Coughlin at his disposal ahead of tomorrow’s tough trip to play-off rivals Dagenham and Redbridge .

Cox was last night scouring the leagues looking for another keeper to bring in on loan.

“It’s bad news,” said Cox. “Joel has done his cruciate which means I think that’s the season finished for him to be honest.

“I’m gutted for the kid. He has been playing excellently and developing, as I knew he was going to. I have just had a chat with the lad and told him he has got to stay strong.

“This is not the end for him. He has got to come through this and come back stronger because, as I’ve said before, there’s a good goalkeeper in there who can play at a lot higher level than he is at this minute. He is a bit lot low at the moment but I’m hoping he will come back stronger.”

Cox’s side have three big games in the space of eight days – the Dagenham and Redbridge match being followed by a league trip to Macclesfield on Tuesday and an FA Cup second round tie at League One Bristol Rovers a week on Sunday – and he doesn’t want to risk going into any of those matches with just one keeper.

“We have to get someone in,” the manager said. “We can’t go in with just one goalkeeper. I’m going to spend the rest of the night trying to organize to bring someone in. Andy Coughlin is fit, he trained today, but we need more than one goalkeeper.

“We are still coming to terms with what has happened, it’s a big jolt, but at the same time, we can’t hang about. We have too many big games to play that we can’t take any chances so we will be looking to bring a keeper in as soon as possible.”