Barrow AFC could be set to bring in some exciting players on loan this summer, with manager Ian Evatt dealing with several Championship clubs who are eager for their talent to be blooded elsewhere.

The loan market was something the Bluebirds successfully exploited during the last season, with Tyler Smith, Rhys Norrington-Davies (both Sheffield United) and Kyle Jameson (West Brom) all impressing during their spells at Holker Street.

Evatt has also turned loans for Lewis Hardcastle (Blackburn) and Dior Angus (Port Vale) permanent in recent months, while he is keen to develop AFC’s reputation as a place where young players can progress.

Evatt said: “That’s what we’re trying to do, we’re trying to develop young players and we are getting young players in, we’re developing them and we’re getting a reputation for that.

“I’ve had phone calls off Nottingham Forest, Sheffield United, West Bromwich Albion and other teams who are desperate for their young players to come and play for our football club now and that’s credit to what we’re doing.”

The way defender Dan Jones developed after a move to centre-back over the last campaign is earning earned him a move to League One, with several clubs at that level chasing his signature.

Evatt said: “We worked out pretty quickly that he was a centre-back, rather than a left-back.

“I can remember some supporters saying to me ‘what are you doing playing Dan Jones at centre-back?’ Well, they’re not saying that anymore.

“He ended up in the National League Team of the Season and for me, he was probably the best centre-back in the league.

“I’ve made no secret about the high regard that I held him in.”