PAUL Cox can see Barrow AFC's defensive colossus Moussa Diarra continuing to climb the footballing ladder after a strong start to the season.

The towering Frenchman, who stands at 6ft 4ins, has demonstrated great aerial and ground ability since landing at Holker Street at the start of last season.

He played in every National League fixture for the Bluebirds – the only man to do so – and missed only one match of their FA Cup and FA Trophy runs, when he was stranded in France due to passport issues following a trip home for family reasons.

With the departure of Danny Livesey in the summer – the man who helped develop his game alongside him in the centre of the AFC defence – Diarra's presence has become even more important in the back-line.

The 27-year-old has demonstrated that already several times this season – whether as part of a three-man central partnership with Dave Nieskens and Thierry Audel or, as in the 1-1 draw at Dover on Saturday, alongside Nieskens in a more traditional 4-4-2 formation – and stood out with his work at the Crabble at the weekend.

Diarra's development since his move from Hampton and Richmond Borough saw him named as player-of-the-month in the early stages of last season, and brought speculation of Football League interest during the two transfer windows that have passed since then.

The club are also thought to have opened negotiations over a new deal to keep him with Barrow beyond the end of this season – when his current deal expires – and Cox knows how big an asset he is to the club.

“Moussa has grown,” said the AFC manager of one of four Frenchmen now in his squad, alongside Audel, Donovan Makoma and Bedsente Gomis. “It probably raised a few eyebrows when I brought him in – he was a little bit unsteady on his feet in the first few games – but what I can say about Moussa is that he has grown into an absolute colossus.

“He has taken the mantle, and his performances are really showing how good a player he is becoming.

“I will keep pushing him, and I think the kid can go to a very high level, he has been that consistent. He’s just got to keep doing it.

“He’s superb, a great character, a brilliant lad – my personal relationship with him is excellent – and I just hope he carries on playing like he has.”