BARROW AFC have added international flavour to their squad for Saturday's final pre-season match-up with Stalybridge Celtic.

Manager Paul Cox has brought in two new triallists for the game against the National League North side at Bower Fold (3pm kick-off).

Belgian left-back Bryan van den Bogaert and Ghanaian midfielder Richard Boateng – younger brother of former Fulham player Derek – will be part of the squad as the Bluebirds take a final look at their options before the National League season starts.

Former Crawley and Ebbsfleet defender van den Bogaert, 24, has been featuring in pre-season for Colchester United, while Boateng has spent much of his playing career in Spain, where he has turned out for Granada and Granada B.

Aaron O'Connor, who has made substitute appearances up front for Barrow against both Carlisle United and Accrington Stanley, is set to play a bigger role at Stalybridge.

“Aaron will player a larger part in the game,” said Cox. “I feel as though I haven't given him the best possible chance to show me and everyone else what he can do yet coming on in a cameo role in the second half.

“He will be given the opportunity to show what he can do from the start.”

A deal for goalkeeper Andy Coughlin, who has been on trial at Holker Street throughout pre-season, is expected to be completed on Saturday.

The club are also close to agreeing loan terms for a centre-half from a Football League club.