INIH Effiong is itching to pull on his boots and make an impact in a Barrow shirt after being passed fit to feature at Aldershot tomorrow.

The imposing new Bluebirds striker arrived from Southern Premier League outfit Biggleswade Town two weeks ago.

An ankle injury and a previous FA Trophy appearance for the Waders which left him cup-tied have meant he has yet to taste action for Barrow.

But he is fully recovered from the foot problem and raring to go against the Shots tomorrow, with the aim of making an immediate impact in an AFC shirt (3pm kick-off).

“I can't wait,” said the 25-yea-old former Boreham Wood and St Albans City front-man. “It has been annoying, a frustrating few weeks. It's typical that you get injured once you are about to sign somewhere. I can't wait to get started, hopefully score some goals and be playing games.

“I'm looking forward to getting in and playing, showing the fans what I can do, scoring goals and working hard for the team.

“Everywhere I have gone, if I have played consistently, I have always scored goals. That's what people know me for. That's what I'm looking forward to now, hopefully I can come in and create a few chances in the team and put some away to get a contract for next season.

“Whichever club I ended up at, I was always going to have to earn a contract. Coming from the league I was in, they were always going to be thinking it was taking a chance – but that doesn't matter to me, it was all I needed, just a chance until the end of the season. I'm going to work hard, and I'm happy with the deal that I've got.”

Earning that new deal is something Effiong is prioritising having been given his first chance at Conference football.

He is on contract until the end of the season, with an option to extend that arrangement to cover the 2017/18 campaign.

Effiong is confident he will adapt to playing at a level two divisions above where he was at with Biggleswade, believing both the league and Barrow's style will play to his strengths.

“It is a tough league, which I think I can handle,” said the 6ft 3ins forward. “It probably suits me, because I am quite physical, I like battling with player, battling with defenders. I'm looking forward to the test.

“I'm going to work hard for the next few months, hoping I can get in the squad, get in the team and score goals.

“I've always thought I could play at this level, and even higher as well. But it was someone wanting to give you the chance, and I'm thankful to Coxy (AFC boss Paul Cox) for giving me the chance to prove myself. He's put faith in me and I'm looking to repay him.”

He added: “I haven't played in the Conference, but I played in Conference South for a few years.

“Considering the position we are in, every game between now and the end of the season is going to be a tough game.

“I think we have got strong boys, we've got willpower in the changing room to get through it.

“The league is getting tougher and tougher each year as there are better teams coming down from League Two, so this season is the chance for us to try and get into the Football League.”

Barrow are the first north club on Effiong's résumé, having spent the majority of his career with teams in and around the capital.

However, speaking to Paul Cox and fellow Londoner Byron Harrison persuaded him Holker Street was the right place to be.

“I was speaking to the manager, and me and Byron have a mutual friend as well,” said Effiong. “He put me in contact with Byron and I got an insight into the club and what they are trying to achieve.

“Byron is from down south, round my way, as well, and it was a long journey for him to make. I spoke to him and he gave me confidence that it was the right move.

“The gaffer gave me confidence as well that the style of play is similar to what I am used to us, and he put faith in me. With the position the club are in, I want to be challenging for things – I don't want to be part of a team that is just ticking along. I want to test myself, challenge for titles. With the position Barrow are in, it seemed like a good move for me.”