TOM Loxam is set to get the opportunity to show what he can do in Barrow Raiders' first pre-season friendly, after producing some impressive displays in training.

The former Royal Marine has been offered the chance to earn a deal with the club after being recommended to them, and head coach Paul Crarey has been pleased with what he has seen so far.

With Max Wiper picking up an injury, winger Loxam is in line to feature when Raiders face the Barrow and District representative side on December 18, which gives Crarey the perfect chance to see him in a full-game situation.

“He's been outstanding, really,” said Crarey. “He's impressed the coaching staff and the lads, he's fitted in really well and, with Max getting injured, there will probably be a spot there for him depending on how he does in games.

“Sometimes, you can be a tremendous player in training, but when it comes to games it's different, but he comes highly recommended and he comes from a background which suits us, so I think he'll be good.

“His skills are good, he's quick, he's big, he's raw-boned and strong, and he's got a great attitude. He's got everything there and we want to know if he can play, and we'll soon find out when we play on December 18. We'll give his as big an opportunity as everything else in the pre-season games.”

Chris Fleming, Shane Toal and new signing Brett Carter are the other men battling it out for one of the two spots on the wing for Barrow in 2017, while Andy Litherland can also be shifted out wide if required.

But Crarey has told his players they will all get a chance to stake a claim for a place and is particularly eager to give the younger members of the Barrow squad every chance to keep their development on track.

“We're going to rotate our squad in some of the games and bring these young players on – we've told them in the players' meeting that we will do that because it's about bringing these kids on who have committed to us and not leaving them on the sidelines.

“I remember when I was 19, I think I played four games in my first year and I thought my world had ended, but looking at what the coaching staff did at the time, it was all about my progression and I ended up having a good career at the club.

“I'm going to pass on that knowledge to them, and sometimes its a waiting game and sometimes adversity does you good, and when it's hard to get in the team that also does you good because you fight that little bit harder to get in.”