BARROW AFC have a reinforced squad to select from as they take on Gateshead for the second time in six days tomorrow.

The Bluebirds travel to the International Stadium with the suspended Jordan Williams back in contention, while winger Andy Haworth and defender Myles Anderson are both fully fit (3pm kick-off).

Anderson and Haworth were both unused substitutes for the 0-0 draw between the teams at Holker Street on Boxing Day, despite not being 100 per cent.

Haworth has overcome a virus and Anderson is fully recovered from a minor leg injury, giving manager Paul Cox 17 men to choose from.

Midfielder Paul Turnbull also trained for the first time yesterday as he looks to come back from a calf problem which has affected him on and off for six weeks, but he is not expected to be risked against the Heed.

Cox is pleased to have added strength to a squad which was down to the bare bones for the reverse fixture earlier in the week, and said: “Myles and Andy are both fully recovered and have trained all week. That's a positive in terms of what we can select from this weekend. Both of them have trained well.

“You've got to be complimentary to the lads that they tried to give it a go and be part on it on Monday even though they weren't 100 per cent fit.

“Bully has trained and that's a massive plus. We'll see how he reacts (today), but it's a big plus if we can get him back.

“It looks like we are going to get him back for a sustained period of time, rather than it rearing its ugly head again with the injury. We can do nothing about the injury apart from manage it and look after him.”

Barrow will hope to end a successful 2016 on a high in the North East, having gone 26 games unbeaten across all competitions.

They sit fourth in the National League following the stalemate on Boxing Day, with Cox hoping his players can improve on that display tomorrow.

He said: “Having watched the DVD back, we had some chances, especially in the first half, when we should have done better.

“We were up against a decent side, and we've got to give Gateshead credit for defending well. But I would like to see us improve the tempo of the game – I think Monday was always likely to be decided by the conditions. Neither side took their chance, and sometimes you get a day like that.

“We've got be a little bit more pro-active and return to the style that has got us so many good results. I thought it was a very tepid game, where we seemed to wait for something to happen, rather than make it happen.

“I want to see us be a little more pro-active, especially in the attacking third. I want us to release the shackles a little bit and be a little more adventurous and pro-active.”

With Williams returning following his one-game ban for a red card picked up in the pre-Christmas 1-1 draw at Boreham Wood, Cox must decide who will play across the midfield four, with Lindon Meikle having impressed on Boxing Day.

It is a big decision, but those are the kind the manager says he relishes.

“Lindon can play on the right, Jordan can play on the left, Jordan can play down the middle – there are a lot of permutations and a lot of big decisions I have to make,” said Cox.

“The good thing is, that although I don't think we played particularly well against Gateshead on Monday, we still looked a cohesive unit and we didn't get beat.

“I don't mind the big decisions – and it will be the players who dictate, nine out of 10 times, what decisions I make.”

Cox and his staff are continuing their search for a new goalkeeper following the season-ending injury to Joel Dixon and the end of Tim Erlandsson's loan from Nottingham Forest.

They have had two potential young recruits from a League One and a lower-league club training with them in Hyde this week – having moved training bases away from Hopwood Hall during the Christmas holidays – while other more experienced targets are also in mind, with discussions ongoing with representatives.

Cox added: “We've had a couple who have trained with us. We've got until the January window, if need be, to really open up the search, but the two lads have done decently. It has given me food for thought.”