Barrow AFC striker Nathan Waterston has joined National League North side Altrincham on a one-month loan deal, as he looks to regain match sharpness.

The 21-year-old Barrovian hasn’t featured since the Bluebirds’ 2-1 home defeat against Solihull Moors on September 1, after which he succumbed to the shoulder injury that had been plaguing him since pre-season.

Waterston, who joined AFC a year ago from fellow Cumbria side Workington, underwent surgery on the problem at the end of that month, whereupon he was ruled out for close to four months.

He has been slowly building up his fitness over the last month, first being seen going through some gentle exercises on the Holker Street pitch with physio Callum Walters before the Boxing Day fixture against AFC Fylde.

This week, he was able to join in first-team training, but with stiff competition for places up front at Barrow, he will now be at the Moss Lane club to gain some much-needed minutes until Saturday, February 23.

Had it not been for the match being postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, Waterston would have made his debut for the Robins in their home fixture against Blyth Spartans tonight.

He’s joining a confident side, as Altrincham are currently sixth in National League North and are chasing a second successive promotion after climbing out of the Northern Premier League last season under manager Phil Parkinson.