Barrow AFC manager Ian Evatt is hoping defender Dan Jones will come back unscathed after he represents England C against Wales tonight.

Jones, who was superb in helping the Bluebirds to three straight wins last week, will take to the field for the non-league national side for the second time at Salford City’s Peninsula Stadium.

Given the amount of injuries in his squad at present, it’s understandable why Evatt is so keen to have the 24-year-old still available to him when Harrogate Town come to Holker Street on Saturday.

“Hopefully they’ll look after him and treat him with the cotton wool that he deserves because he is a top player,” Evatt said.

By the end of last Saturday’s excellent 1-0 win at Eastleigh, AFC had nine players unavailable through injury, with Jones one of only two fit centre backs, which has led to midfielder Jason Taylor stepping into the back three.

Evatt is delighted with how other member of his squad have stepped up, such as veteran Steve Jennings and striker Nathan Reid, who made his debut against the Spitfires.

He said: “It just shows you that we are a good group, a tight-knit group, and the lads have all been magnificent.

“I can’t speak highly enough of all of them – the way we won on Tuesday night [at Wrexham] was exceptional, but to back it up again at Eastleigh and have that performance is even better.”