MANAGER Ady Pennock is working flat-out to bring in new faces to Barrow AFC – and hopes to have signings made before the FA Trophy trip to Brackley.

Pennock has just 19 players available to him following the departure of loan defender Jimmy Dunne last week. One of that group is winger David Fitzpatrick, who will not be available this weekend as he continues to build up his fitness following a knee problem.

The AFC boss recognises the importance of adding to the ranks, and is optimistic one or two signings will be made before this weekend.

“There could be news at any time,” said Pennock. “I’m working 24/7, and it’s important we get it right. Hopefully, if I can get one or two in before the Brackley game, I will be very pleased. But I want to get it right.

“It’s the togetherness we’ve got at the club. So, yes, I do want to get new players in, new faces in, but they’ve got to be right for the changing room and right for me as well to work with.

“We do need faces, and I can assure you that I am working 24/7 to get the right person in, that’s for sure.”

“We’ve got a small squad, they’re good, honest boys, but we do need new players.”

While Dunne has left AFC – coming on as a second-half substitute as Accrington Stanley defeated Chesterfield 4-0 on Saturday – Pennock believes the way Barrow have dealt with the 20-year-old, and parent club Burnley's reaction, will serve the Bluebirds well going forward.

That could mean another man coming in from the Clarets, or other clubs seeing how AFC have brought Dunne on and being more inclined to allow them to have one of their own.

“It’s important that we have conducted ourselves right and looked after Jimmy very well,” said Pennock. “He’s moved onto the Football League, which Burnley are very pleased with.

“It’s important that we get a name for ourselves, and a good name. With Paul and Andrew (Casson) behind us, hopefully we are going in only one direction, and that’s up that league.”

While Pennock does want new blood, he is not looking at having a squad the size of some of Barrow's National League rivals.

Tranmere Rovers had 32 players listed on the back of the match-day programme for Saturday's 1-1 draw – not including loan keeper Rhys Taylor, who was announced as signing an hour before kick-off – while former Bluebirds manager Paul Cox has close to 40 on the books at new club Guiseley.

Pennock would be happy to simply add a few more, and said: “I don’t really want a big squad. I think if you’ve got a big squad then you get more problems.

“There is a great togetherness in that changing room, but I have got targets – who I’m not going to say – and I have spoken with clubs, individuals and their agents.

“Things are in hand, but we have to get it right and bring in the right character, because that changing room is very strong, with good characters and good togetherness in there, and we have to get the right players.”