LONG-TERM knee injury victims Joel Dixon, Andy Parry and Dan Cockerline are all ahead of schedule in their recoveries after surgery.

Keeper Dixon, midfielder Parry and forward Cockerline all saw their seasons ended early by cruciate ligament damage.

Parry played only five games for the Bluebirds this season – with two stats – before a training ground knock in early September turned into something more serious and he was the first to go under the knife.

Dixon was the first-choice stopper for every game since Paul Cox took over at Holker Street in November 2015, but he was hurt falling to the ground when going for a cross late in the 3-0 win over Guiseley on November 22.

Cockerline has yet to appear for Barrow, after signing from Northwich Victoria in October.

He went out on loan to National League North side Stalybridge Celtic at the end of November, and scored twice in his debut against Boston United.

However, he too was the victim of a training ground injury and did not feature again for the Cheshire club, undergoing surgery just before Christmas.

None of the three are expected to be fit before the end of the season, but Barrow manager Paul Cox has been pleased with the progress he has seen in the trio under the supervision of club physio Sean Riley.

“They are all doing brilliantly,” said Cox.

“Paz has come along with the bend in his knee, and both Cockerline and Joel are ahead of schedule as well.

“The surgeon has done a fantastic job on them. Sean has really worked hard with all the injured lads and sometimes when you look at the three cruciates it resembles an A&E in our physio room.

“Credit must be given to Sean, who has done a great job, and from what I gather all three boys are ahead of schedule.”