LUKE Cresswell cannot wait to start as a fully-fledged Barrow Raider.

The 21-year-old former signed a deal until the end of 2018 with the League One club last week.

He could make his bow at Doncaster in round two of the Super 8s this Sunday, if Raiders regular number one Ryan Fieldhouse fails a fitness test.

While it is believed Fieldhouse will be okay after suffering a back spasm before the 34-12 win over Rochdale Hornets, Raiders coach Crarey said Cresswell be on standby should the full-back fail to come through.

“We will have no hesitation of throwing him right in,” said Crarey. “We aim to build a local based team, he's committed to us, we'll commit to him and if there is an opportunity and Ryan doesn't pull through he'll play.”

While keen to make a start, the Barrow Island amateur, who shone during his three games as a triallist in pre-season, is happy to wait until his chance arrives, but he said: “I would like to get the nod.”

Cresswell has declared himself fit after a niggling calf injury, but the former BARLA Great Britain player is realistic about his chances and added: “I have got to be patient and I know Paul will put me in at the right time, I trust what he's going to do with me.

“I am looking forward to just getting my head down and getting my body into the best possible condition as I can to compete.

“It is a different level for me, it is going to be harder, but I will give it my best.”

Cresswell had been with Barrow Island since the age of seven, moving from stand-off to full-back around two years ago.

The exciting prospect is rated highly by Crarey and is keen to learn from the seasoned pros at Craven Park and through playing at semi-pro level.

“I am looking forward to the opportunity, it is something I have wanted to do all my life,” said Cresswell.

“It just felt right at the time. I had my trial and training has been going really well and I have fitted in with the lads well. I have been playing open-age since I was 16 and I fancied another challenge.

“I just want to fight for my position, be consistent and be the best I can and hopefully have a long career at Barrow and be successful.”

Cresswell knows patience is the key and wants to be fully ready for when the call comes if he misses out this Sunday.

“Obviously selection is pretty hard at this time of the year so I am just concentrating on getting myself fit so when the opportunity does come I am ready," he said.

“I see it as a bonus if I play in the Super 8s but obviously if he (Crarey) feels like I am ready, it is a bonus."

He added: “The club is going forward and has a good squad at the moment, they have got the academy, they have a lot going for them.

“Training is really good, all the lads have been great with me since I have been down there. You are training with quality players and it has improved me loads.”

Cresswell is keen to learn from Fieldhouse, saying: “It is good to have someone in front of me. It is a challenge because he is an experienced professional, but it is good to see what he does I can learn off him and try and improve my own game.”

The flying back toured with the BARLA Great Britain amateurs in Jamaica earlier this year before putting pen to paper and was given the nod to train with Barrow once a week before signing.

“He's great,” he said of Crarey. “I was pleased at first being given the chance of training, then a trial to show what I could actually do on the field.

“The coaches down there (at Barrow Island) have been brilliant with me, they have understood my situation. They have advised me to do what I wanted to do.

“With me going it gives someone else and opportunity to go and play full-back for Barrow Island, they have got some really good young lads down there.”

Crarey is delighted to see Cresswell at Craven Park as he looks ahead to the next generation of players.

“He's the future of the club isn't he, along with Danny Morrow, Matty Holmes and Matty While,” he said.

“To get local kids of his calibre wanting to sign for the club is a milestone for us.

“We have broken the mould so to speak and once you do that and quality locals want to come down you are on a winner – and he is a quality local.”