Joe Grayson looks set to make a welcome return to the Barrow AFC squad this weekend.

The defender, out since December through injury, will be back in the ranks to take on Port Vale.

His return will bolster a Bluebirds squad fighting for their EFL lives.

Manager Phil Brown says 23-year-old Grayson has trained well and, although not yet at 100 per cent fitness, is ready to be back involved.

“Joe will be in the squad on Saturday,” Brown said.

“He’s not far off. He’s had a good week’s training last week, and we played in a game behind closed doors amongst ourselves on Tuesday and he completed that.

“He’s knocking at the door.”

Grayson’s last outing came on December 29 against Oldham, since when he has been recovering from an achilles injury.

Brown used the ex-Blackburn man’s return to highlight the need for more regular reserve football at Barrow to help players who need match fitness.

“That’s probably another thing that needs to be discussed long term,” he said.

“I want players who’ve been out for a while to get matches.

“We tried to arrange a couple of games against Bolton Wanderers’ second string, and against Gateshead, but unfortunately that fell by the wayside.

“I’m all about games. We have Kgosi Ntlhe not far off as well, a couple of weeks away, and he needs games, it’s as simple as that.

“There are a couple of things need to be looked at where club’s concerned but most important thing is Saturday.”