Jamie Dallimore has been praised by Barrow Raiders head coach Paul Crarey for the way he’s filled in as captain in the absence of regular skipper Jarrad Stack, who is set to make his comeback from injury next week.

The half-back, who is in his fourth season with the Raiders, has led the team out in the first four matches of the campaign after Stack hurt his shoulder in the pre-season friendly against Workington Town in January.

The 31-year-old has certainly led by example, with him scoring tries in both of Barrow’s Betfred League One victories over Doncaster v Coventry and him also improving his discipline during matches.

Having kept the armband warm, Dallimore will hand it back to Stack when he returns to the fold for next week’s trip to North Wales Crusaders.

Crarey said: “I put Jamie in as captain and didn’t know what to expect, but he’s been absolutely magnificent - I think he’s given away one penalty in the last three or four games and his leadership qualities have come out and he’s shone like a beacon.

“I think it’s done him good, we have some senior leaders in the squad and we want Dalli to be one of them because he’s been absolutely magnificent.

“But Jarrad is coming back and he leads from the front. He’s not a talker, Jarrad, he’s a doer and very tough.

“He’s a go-to man at the back end of sets and a very good defender and a real high-quality player, so we’ll be really chuffed to get him back and they’ve all done really well.

“Bradd Crellin came in against Coventry and we wanted to play a little bit and he set up a nice try for himself by passing to Carl Forster before getting back on the end of it again.”