Boss David Dunn has backed Barrow’s strikeforce to keep up their positive efforts in the absence of main hitman Scott Quigley.

Today’s trip to Newport County (kick-off 3pm) sees last season’s top scorer serve the final game of a three-match ban.

Dunn is looking forward to having the influential frontman back in the mix but has backed AFC’s other strikers to continue filling the void.

Dior Angus scored Barrow’s historic first goal back in the EFL last weekend as he started alongside Jack Hindle against Stevenage.

Luke James is among Dunn’s other options and the Bluebirds boss says he has been pleased with how his forwards have stepped up.

“Quigs is a big player for us, let’s be honest – of course he is – but the lads who’ve come in have done terrifically well.

“That’s been the case all the way through pre-season and the cup games.

“I’m confident in whichever players I put out there they’ll do a good job for us.”

Barrow face their first away game back in the League this afternoon against Mike Flynn’s Exiles.

The Bluebirds will be hoping to build on last weekend’s efforts, when Angus’s penalty came close to sealing a memorable opening-day victory before Stevenage’s late spot-kick.

Newport had a strong home record in League Two last season, losing just three times at Rodney Parade.

Dunn, though, feels Barrow can give the south Wales outfit a stern test if his side perform to their maximum.

He said: “Newport are going to be a good test for us but if we play anything like we can, we’ll be a good test for anyone in this division.

“They’ll be really well organised and they know what they’re doing.

“They’ve got some really good players, they have a threat up top which we’ll have to be careful of, and they’re a threat from set-pieces as well. We’ll have to be at our best.”

Barrow have drawn their first three games of the season in respective competitions and Dunn wants his players to maximise the unbeaten aspect of their early life back as an EFL club.

“When you get on a run and you’re unbeaten, you’ve got to try and keep hold of that and that’s what we’ll be looking to do,” the manager said.

“When you get on any run it’s important to keep it going as long as possible.

“It would be nice to get a few wins, but let’s just tick them off – we’ve got our first point, let’s see if we can keep ticking them off as we come. Let’s look for our first away win, let’s look for our first home win, let’s look for our first clean sheet in the league and keep doing that.”

Flynn expects Barrow to be a confident outfit while Dunn believes his side will only get stronger as they welcome back injured players.

He said: “Let’s be honest, the lads have done great, but we’ve also four or five lads that need to come back in the mix as well.

“Being competitive, that’s important, but I’m looking forward to getting all our squad to pick from and see where we go.

“There will be different styles to come up against and different challenges to face through the season, but I’ve been really pleased with all the players.

“I can’t say it enough how much of a pleasure they are to work with every day. I keep saying that but I honestly mean it.”