BARROW AFC have launched a bid to bring one of the town's top young footballers back home.

The Bluebirds have put in seven days' notice on Workington Reds striker Nathan Waterston, a young forward who has impressed AFC boss Ady Pennock in recent weeks.

The 20-year-old South Cumbrian forward has been given a run in the Workington side of late, and has been playing well.

He netted twice against Marine in the Integro League Cup and against National League opposition in their FA Trophy defeat to Bromley – opponents he may well come up against again this season, with AFC still to travel to face the Ravens.

AFC boss Ady Pennock has watched the young forward in action several times in recent weeks, and confirmed the approach had been made, with the expectation he would speak with Waterston in the coming days.

Workington joint-manager Lee Andrews accepted he was set to lose one of his talented young players, and said: “I believe Nathan will be talking to Barrow in the next day or two and it will be up to him.

"We have always said, as a club, we will not stand in anyone’s way of playing at a higher level.

“Nathan has been very patient this season and has taken his chance really well.”

Should he sign for AFC, Waterston would become the first local to be part of the squad since Elliot Newby departed last summer. The young winger had been offered a new deal by then-boss Paul Cox, but having seen his first-team chances limited chose to join National League North AFC Telford United, where he has been a regular.

Barrow-born Waterston has previously turned out for Hawcoat Park and Holker Old Boys on the local football scene, and is well-known on the cricketing scene as well, having played for Furness and Hawcoat Park and has represented Cumberland.