BENCHED striker Ross Hannah will get his chance in the Barrow AFC first team – and needs to be ready to take it.

Bluebirds manager Paul Cox admitted the 30-year-old former Chester hotshot was frustrated at being kept out of the starting line-up by Byron Harrison and Richie Bennett.

The in-form duo, who have 11 goals between them this term, have started AFC’s last seven matches, with Hannah reduced to a substitute role since the 1-0 win at North Ferriby United on August 29 – when Bennett came off the bench to score.

Bennett was withdrawn from the field after just over an hour in the 1-1 draw against Macclesfield on Tuesday , but it was winger Andy Haworth who came on in his place, with Jordan Williams moving from out wide to a central attacking role

Despite not having featured in the last two matches Hannah’s National League pedigree – he scored 26 goals in all competitions for Chester last season before penning a deal at Holker Street – means he will always be ready and waiting for the chance to get back out on the field and impress.

“Ross must be one of the most frustrated players out there,” admitted Cox, who also added Harry Panayiotou – currently on international duty with Saint Kitts and Nevis – to his attacking options two weeks ago. “I put Jordan up there on Tuesday night because I thought at Forest Green he had gone up and possibly could have got us a couple of goals.

“Ross will come into his own at some point – I know he will. There is going to be fatigue, there is going to be loss of form, and Ross just needs to be ready for the opportunity.

“This side won’t stay as it is for the next 30 games, I can guarantee it. It will change, the squad will change, because I’ve got to be analytical of the physicality and the technicality, but more importantly the mentality of this group.

“Ross just needs to be ready. I’m sure he will get an opportunity, and then it’s up to Ross to take it.”

Asked if Hannah was voicing frustration at being confined to the bench in recent weeks, Cox said: “Of course he is. I say he’s voicing his frustration, he’s doing what I think an excellent pro does. In training, he smashes the goals in, he’s working extremely hard, and he keeps knocking on my door. By that, I mean he keeps proving to me that he will be in this team at some point.

“He’s a great pro, I’ve enjoyed working with him, and I hope I will be working with him for a long time yet.”

Cox insisted there was no chance Hannah would be put out on loan, with the likelihood that he will be given another run in the side – he started five of the first seven matches – before Christmas.

He does not expect every player to be able to maintain their high-tempo start through the season, with Bennett having made a particularly impressive beginning after the move up from Northwich Victoria.

The manager added ahead of tomorrow’s home match against Maidstone (3pm kick-off): “There won’t be a loan out. He’s scored 25 goals almost every season.

“There have been some surprises this season, and we need to be analytical of the whole thing.

“This is a marathon and some people have shot off and they are winning the race at the minute. I’m analytical that some people can’t keep up that pace. It’s my job to make sure that when they fade a little bit, I have someone who can replace them until they are ready to have their second wind.

“It’s how I manage this group of players to get the best from them. It’s like a relay, where you have people passing the baton to each other.

“I guarantee the side playing now, will not be the same as the side playing at Christmas.”