INTENSITY is high in the Barrow AFC camp with every player focussed on a starting place for the season curtain raiser against Derby County, according to new signing Luke James.

With the season creeping every closer Bluebirds travel to FC United of Manchester tomorrow, after successive pre-season outings against Holker Old Boys and Blackpool.

They lost the latter, but picked up a comfortably victory against the Old Boys, with midfielder James getting himself on the scoresheet for the first time in a Barrow shirt.

It has been an exciting week for all concerned with the club, with the players discovering they will face Championship big boys Derby County in the opening competitive game of the campaign in the Carabao Cup.

James, one of David Dunn's first signings after he took the Barrow job, revealed the competition for places is sky high in training, with all eyes focussed on a starting position for that Derby clash.

He said: "I've been feeling strong so far. It has been a while since I've been playing and training but I'm getting back into it now.

"The lads have been good so far, they are a good set of lads and we're just looking forward to getting the season started.

"We've got plenty of new lads in and the competition in the squad is there for everyone to see. We can see in training everyone's giving it 100 per cent.

"We're shaping up very well, we gave a good account of ourselves against Blackpool and when the games come you get the feel for it.

"The Derby cup game will be an unreal start to the season.

"All the lads are buzzing to be facing a great team, so we will definitely be up for that.

"Everyone just wants to be on that sheet for the first game of the season, that is what it is about.

"It has been high intensity in training, everyone has grated hard. It has been tough but enjoyable and everyone just wants to play in that game."

Tuesday's defeat to Blackpool was a tough test for the Holker Street men, but one that produced plenty of positives for manager Dunn.

And James, signed from Hartlepool United, admitted he has high hopes for the coming campaign after an impressive display against a side he has backed for success in League One next season.

He said: "The Blackpool game was good.

"They're a good side and it was a good test for the lads.

"It was a big step up and a big challenge as Blackpool have high hopes for the season like we do, but I thought we proved ourselves.

"It is just about getting minutes under our belt."