RETURNING star Richie Bennett is excited to hit the ground running on his comeback.

In an interview for Barrow AFC, the footballer gave his thoughts on the upcoming season, including games against former clubs Sutton and Stockport County, and his relationship with Barrow higher-ups.

He said: “If I have half as good a season as I did last year and get as many goals, it will be a great one.

“But hopefully I will be reliable and hard-working because I know they [Pete Wild and Paul Hornby] appreciate that as a player.”

Bennett, who left Barrow for Carlisle in 2017, said he had a good relationship with both the manager and chairman.

“I am very excited to get started with meeting the new lads,” he said.

“I have had a quick chat with the gaffer, who I have known for quite some time. And I have been speaking to Paul, who I have kept in close contact with since I left.”

He revealed that Wild has previously tried to sign him on loan deals in the past but it was never sealed on the dotted line.

The 31-year-old has since played for Morecambe, Port Vale, Hartlepool, Stockport and Sutton United.

So the first game of the season will be a defining moment for the forward.

Barrow will travel to Stockport on the first day of the new campaign, facing the Manchester team on July 30.

Bennett said: “Stockport County on the first day will be brilliant, I’m looking forward to it.

“Me and John [Rooney] have got a bit of history there, it will be a good atmosphere and a great game.

“Sutton will be interesting too – we have a tough few opening games but we will be ready and looking forward to it all.”