Midfielder Lewis Hardcastle believes Barrow AFC’s style of play is suiting him down to the ground and the youngster is hoping his loan at the club can be extended.

Hardcastle joined the Bluebirds on a one-month youth loan from Championship side Blackburn Rovers that is up for renewal after tomorrow’s match against Aldershot Town at Holker Street.

During his time with AFC, the 20-year-old has impressed in the middle of the park, showing the sort of bravery in possession that manager Ian Evatt wants to see in his players and doing a fine job in linking up with his attackers.

He was a standout performer again during the 3-2 defeat against Leyton Orient on Tuesday night that could have turned out very differently had the hosts been more clinical in front of goal.

Hardcastle said: “We dominate possession and that helps me get on the ball and make things happen, but I feel like no-one has seen the best of me yet and I want to show all the fans that.

“I’m loving it here and I’d love to stay longer, but it’s not up to me. It’s the gaffer’s decision and obviously he’ll speak to me about it.”

Hardcastle has credited the experienced men he has played alongside in midfield for the way he has been able to settle in during his five appearances for Barrow so far.

John Rooney has been a constant during those, while Jason Taylor’s disciplined play in his holding role has allowed Hardcastle to express himself, as did Steve Jennings, who filled in during the latter’s recent two-match suspension.

Hardcastle said: “They’re both good footballers – when Jenno comes in, he gets everyone playing and everyone talking and it’s the same with Tayls.

“That helps me as a young player and it helps everyone. The way they organise helps us to become a very good team.”

Hardcastle was keen for his loan at the Bluebirds to work out, after a similar arrangement at League Two side Port Vale in the first half of the season didn’t go according to plan.

He said: “It didn’t go the way I wanted to because I didn’t play in many games, but it was a good learning experience, at the end of the day, and hopefully I can kick on at Barrow.”

AFC will certainly hope they’ll be able to kick back into gear and put their two defeats in the past week, against Barnet and Orient, behind them when they welcome a struggling Aldershot to their patch

Despite the Shots being at the opposite end of the season from the O’s, Hardcastle is expecting their approach to be similar to what he encountered on Tuesday.

“Leyton Orient were sitting off us on the night and it’s going to be no different on Saturday,” Hardcastle said. “We just need to take our chances when they come.”