David Dunn says Kgosi Ntlhe and Matty Platt are getting closer to a return from injury for Barrow.

The defenders have missed recent games with Platt yet to figure since the Carabao Cup opener against Derby.

Manager Dunn, though, says they are not far away.

“KG [Ntlhe] and Matty will be really big pluses for us,” he said.

“Platty came in last season and did ever so well, and he’s a really big player for us. I’m looking forward to getting him back in and he shouldn’t be too long.”

With James Jones sidelined after last weekend’s injury at Carlisle, meanwhile, Yoan Zouma could be in the frame for a league debut against Leyton Orient on Saturday.

Dunn believes the speedy ex-Bolton defender has the potential to play in higher leagues again.

“He’s got some really good attributes to play higher,” the Barrow boss said. “We need to work with him and try and encourage him.

"He’s a young player and we need to get the best out of him and make him a better footballer, because he does possess some really good attributes that I see in him – he can play higher.

“He played League One last year and in the games I’ve seen, he played very well.

“I feel he is a really good signing for the club not just for now but for the future as well. I thought he and [fellow new signing] Chris Taylor did very well on Monday and I’m looking forward to seeing more of them.”