RYAN Duffy is determined to repay the faith shown in him by Barrow Raiders as he continues his comeback from surgery after agreeing a deal with the club.

The prop, who played for Raiders on dual-registration terms in 2012, is returning to Craven Park on a two-year contract, although he is unlikely to appear until towards the end of this season at the earliest following an operation on an AC joint injury.

But Duffy is delighted Barrow head coach Paul Crarey and director of rugby Andy Gaffney have handed him a deal regardless of the injury, and has his sights set on paying the club back for the support he has been given during his rehabilitation.

“It's very frustrating, because when I was speaking to Gaff and Cresta, they were talking about the deal and what they saw for me, and then I got the injury,” said Duffy.

“I was a bit down when I found of the news, but the club have been in regular contact with me, assured me they'd help me with physio and rehab with a view to signing, so that's what I've been doing.

“It's great that the club has shown faith in me and I just want to repay that by getting back as soon as possible and playing well.”

Duffy is already familiar with several of his Barrow team-mates; he and fellow prop Brad Brennan both joined from Warrington Wolves via dual-registration at the same time five years ago, while Karl Ashall and Jamie Dallimore played alongside him at North Wales Crusaders.

Being able to complete some of his rehabilitation at Raiders has helped Duffy integrate with the squad and allowed him some relief from having to do it all on his own, with the forward doing the rest of the work towards his recovery at his home in Leigh.

“That's the hardest part, doing the rehab by yourself, but it has got to be done,” said Duffy. “No-one likes doing rehab because it's boring and things like that, but with an injury like mine it's just what I've got to do. It helps going to training, being around the lads and having a bit of banter.

“I know a few of the lads from last time and a few I was at North Wales with, and it's been great settling in and bonding well. It's good just to be around the lads to have a bit of banter because that just keeps you going and keeps your spirits high.

“Everyone gets on and they're a close-knit group. That's what I want to be a part of and enjoy

playing rugby. That's what we do it for and that's the main thing we want to do – and it all helps if you are winning, which is all I can see the club doing.”

Duffy, who finished last season playing up the Cumbrian coast with Whitehaven in the Kingstone Press Championship, is impressed by what he has seen from Barrow in both League One and the cup competitions this season.

Indeed, he is in no doubt Raiders are capable of not only achieving their aim of promotion in 2017, but also becoming an established presence in the Championship.

And having experienced life in the second tier with both Whitehaven and Leigh, Duffy is determined to get back playing at that level.

“That's where I want to be at and that's why I've come to Barrow,” said Duffy. “I've seen the games this year and I can see only Barrow challenging Toronto, and no other team.

“I would imagine they should be in the Championship next year, so coming back from a pre-season and playing at that level is where I want to be.

“The team Cresta is putting together, the signings he has made and the experience we have got, that's only going to benefit the club.

“Looking at the Championship, most of the teams, there is no reason Barrow can't beat them, which I can see happening.”