PAUL Cox has landed his number one target after signing goalkeeper Jon Flatt on loan until the end of the season.

The 22-year-old arrived from Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers earlier this week and will go straight into the squad for tomorrow's FA Cup third-round tie against Rochdale (3pm kick-off).

His arrival comes six weeks after first-choice stopper Joel Dixon had his season ended by knee ligament damage suffered in the 3-0 against Guiseley and a fortnight on from loan man Tim Erlandsson returning to parent club Nottingham Forest.

Flatt was Cox's preferred choice to fill the gap between the sticks for the Bluebirds, with Andy Coughlin having operated as stand-in for the back-to-back fixtures against Gateshead on Boxing Day and New Year's Eve.

Off-field issues meant the deal could not be completed until the transfer window opened this week, with Cox thrilled to have brought in a man who played the last 10 games for Cheltenham Town in the National League last season – helping them secure the title and promotion.

“Some people might have questioned why we didn't bring one in ASAP to cover the two games over the Christmas period,” said Cox.

“We spoke to that many people, that many clubs and that many goalkeepers, and the ones we could have brought in there was always the issue about the FA Cup – we knew we needed a goalkeeper who would be eligible to play.

“With a lot of the clubs we spoke to, there were issues about not letting them out until the window opened. We could have brought somebody in just for the two games, but firstly I wouldn't have felt that was fair on Andy Coughlin, because he needed an opportunity. Secondly, it would have been a quick fix that probably wouldn't have been right for the medium and long-term until the end of the season.

“I've tried to do due diligence to make sure we got our number one target, which Jon was. We've had to be patient but we know what we've got.”

He added: “He was top of the initial list, but there were a few complications, so we had to be patient to get Jon in.

“The positive thing is that we have signed Jon until the end of the season. There is no month loan and then more negotiations. We spoke to Wolves and I think for both parties – the lad and ourselves – it was beneficial for him to sign until the end of the season, which is excellent. He's a top-quality goalkeeper.

“He's got experience of the pressure of getting Cheltenham over the line and of Conference football, so he will know the physicality. His ability is undoubted, and I always knew what a good goalkeeper he was from when I tried to sign him previously at Mansfield.

“That experience is going to be so valuable in the games coming up – the run-in, the pressurised games where the little one per cents can add up. He will understand and be fully prepared with that experience from last year.

“We're very lucky to have got the man we wanted – and let's hope it's a repeat of what happened the last time he dropped down to this level.”

Cox also confirmed Barrow have reached a dual-registration agreement with Northern Premier League Division One South side Market Drayton Town over stopper Ash Rawlins.

The 20-year-old trained with Barrow last week, and will continue to be monitored for the rest of the season.

“He's come into us and he's only a very young keeper,” said Cox. “He's got a massive amount of potential.

“We thank Market Drayton for allowing us to sign these forms, and he is one we will continuously monitor now.”