ANDY Gaffney believes bringing Ryan Duffy back to Craven Park will prove to be an astute move for Barrow Raiders, even though the prop is unlikely to feature much this season.

Duffy, who previously played for the club on dual- registration terms from Warrington Wolves in 2012, has put pen to paper on a two-year contract with Raiders.

However, an operation on an AC joint injury means the former Leigh, South Wales and Whitehaven man is not expected to be able to play again until at least the end of the 2017 campaign.

Barrow were aware Duffy may need surgery before he signed, but both parties were keen for the deal to go ahead and director of rugby Gaffney is pleased to have him on board.

“He always intended to come and play for us, and we’ve given him that opportunity,” said Gaffney. “It’s going to be a hard battle for him this year, but it’s going really well.

“He comes up with the other travelling lads and does his rehab here as well as at home. He’s one of those players who puts in a lot of work away from the club; he doesn’t just turn up to training, he puts in a lot of work at home and he’s getting better all the time.

“He’s coming on really well and we’ve sorted out a two-year deal for him for the rest of this season and next season.

“He was told he probably won’t play this year, but now he’s ahead of schedule and hopefully he might be able to make one or two games before the end, then have a good pre-season next year.”

Duffy has been training and doing his rehabilitation following the surgery with Barrow since pre-season, along with extra rehab work at home in Leigh.

And the decision to get him signed up now is as much with an eye on next season as it is this one, with the target for Raiders to achieve promotion from Kingstone Press League One in 2016.

“It was just unfortunate that the injury happened when it did, but it just shows our commitment to him and his commitment to us, wanting to sign on for next year as well,” said Gaffney.

“It’s good that players of his calibre and his experience want to play for us.

“He’s played in the Championship at the top level and we want to bring that type of player to the club because next year, if we’re in the Championship, he is one there for us.”

Duffy’s signing adds even more competition in the Barrow front row, with captain Ollie Wilkes, Joe Bullock, Andrew Dawson, Brad Brennan and Tom Walker all battling it out for the prop positions.

Bullock and Walker are under contract for 2018 as well, and Gaffney is pleased with the strength-in-depth head coach Paul Crarey has at his disposal.

“If you look at our squad, there is competition all over the park and it just keeps everybody on their toes,” added Gaffney.

“If one misses out, somebody can step in and Cresta is the sort of coach where he will give everyone a chance. If someone takes that chance then they’re in the squad.”