JOEL Dixon and Jordan Williams will be available for Barrow’s FA Cup replay against Taunton on Tuesday.

The pair were due to fly out to Estonia with England C on what is a blank midweek in the National League fixture list.

However, with the Bluebirds drawing 2-2 in Somerset in the first round on Sunday, they were faced with a fixture clash which could have seen them miss out on the replay.

AFC secretary Russell Dodd has since confirmed that Barrow are allowed to withdraw the pair due to the fixture clash, to the relief of manager Paul Cox.

“There is a bit of common sense out there and they are allowed to play for what is the best club cup competition in world football,” said Cox of two players who are among the first names on his team-sheet every week.

“They will both be in the squad for Tuesday. Both of them have done well this season. They’re both young, and being picked by England is a major plus, not just for the players but for the club as well.

“It’s good that we’ve got them for Tuesday night’s game.”

Dixon has started every match for Barrow in the National League and FA Cup this season, keeping six clean sheets from 20 outings.

His back-up, Andy Coughlin, was signed in the summer, but the former Wrexham man has only featured in the Lancashire Senior Cup victory over Bury at Holker Street.

Cox would have brought him in if Dixon had been tied to his England C commitments, but Coughlin will have to wait for his chance.

Williams has missed one match this season, when he was suspended for the trip to Woking last month after picking up five yellow cards.

He has scored three goals in 19 appearances on the back of a summer when he was the subject of reported six-figure bids for his services – with Barrow believed to have put a £250,000 price tag round his neck.

He would have been more easily replaced for the FA Cup game, however, with Lindon Meikle and Andy Haworth both specialist wingers waiting for their chance, and Akil Wright and Paul Turnbull also capable of stepping into the midfield from the bench.

“Andy would have come in for Joel, but among the outfield players we have a number of players champing at the bit now, who want to stake a claim for a regular place,” said Cox.

“It’s getting harder and harder each week with the performances the boys that aren’t playing are putting in at training.”