PAUL Cox has told Barrow AFC supporters not to worry about Byron Harrison's fitness after he returned to action for the Bluebirds on Easter Monday.

Harrison came off the bench for his first appearance in almost three months in the 3-1 victory over North Ferriby United at Holker Street.

The experienced front-man – who was overtaken on the afternoon as Barrow's top-scorer for the season when Richie Bennett scored his 22nd of the campaign – played a little under 10 minutes.

It was evident during his time on the pitch that his running style did not appear totally smooth and free-flowing, with an occasional half-limp as he jogged back and forth – though not when he was at full speed chasing the ball.

However, Cox is confident there is no physical issue to worry about for the 29-year-old.

Harrison has undergone extensive physio treatment on the ankle injury he picked up in the 3-0 win over Lincoln in January, and the Barrow boss believes the limp is purely a mental issue and that his star striker was totally ready for his return.

“I think it's a little psychosomatic with Byron at the minute,” said Cox of the former Stevenage and Chesterfield man.

“This is a player who I have a fantastic one-on-one relationship with. I asked him where he was – he has trained for a week-and-a-half – and sometimes when you have an injury and you're trying to get over it, you develop that psychosomatic limp, as I call it.

“He made the decision. I said he could have another week's training, he could be on the bench or he could start the game. He smiled with his eyes, looked me in the eye and told me he wanted to have some impact in the game.”

Cox lamented the extended absence of a player who had helped fire Barrow into serious play-off contention, and who still sits fifth in the National League scoring charts despite his long absence.

But he also hailed his brief appearance back in the AFC shirt against North Ferriby, and said: “When he came on, he showed that little bit of class that is the difference between players.

“It would have been nice to reverse three months, to still have had him fit, and to have seen where we are now.

“You take Matt Rhead out of Lincoln, you take (Andy) Cook out of Tranmere, (Ricky) Miller out of Dover – you take that many goals out of teams and you are hurt by losing your best players.

“I don't want to embarrass the boy by saying he is our best player, but supporters can see, they understand good footballers, they understand the game. You just saw when he came on the pitch on Monday that he just has that presence, and supporters appreciate that.”

Looking ahead to the role Harrison will have with Barrow next season, Cox added: “He’s contracted for next season and we want to make sure that it’s a long-term situation with him.

“I hope we’ve made the right decision now in introducing him – psychologically, it can’t be anything but positive for him.”