Barrow AFC will seek to defy their run of rotten injury luck by overturning Ian Evatt’s Bolton tonight.

The Bluebirds, looking for their first win of the league season, will be patched up on and off the field as they face their former boss.

Manager David Dunn and No2 Rob Kelly will again be away from the touchline, both men self-isolating after Dunn tested positive for Covid-19 last week.

Stand-in trio Sam Hird, Craig Rutherford and Josh Lillis are again set to be in charge as Barrow bid to get a win under their belts at the seventh attempt.

Dunn and Kelly have been in regular contact during preparations for this evening’s game and will be in touch with the stand-in regime tonight, with AFC nursing a number of fresh injury concerns.

Lewis Hardcastle, Tom Beadling and Kgosi Ntlhe all failed to finish Saturday’s defeat at Harrogate Town, while it was last night revealed that new signing Courtney Baker-Richardson will see a specialist over a hip injury.

Deadline-day arrival Jayden Reid could be involved tonight at the Progression Solicitors Stadium (kick-off 7pm) while Barrow are also hoping key frontman Scott Quigley can return from injury.

Hird, 33, insisted he was happy to take on the responsibility of helping to lead the side despite the news on Dunn and Kelly coming at short notice ahead of Saturday’s game.

He added: “At times like this you all need to pull together, and the lads and staff have done that.”

It is hoped Dunn and Kelly may be able to return to the dugout for Saturday’s game against Walsall but that is so far unconfirmed.

Hird insists Barrow are not short of confidence as they try to end their winless run against Bolton who, under Evatt, are only a point ahead of the Bluebirds.

“Confidence is there,” he said. “We are all pulling in the right direction and singing from the same hymn sheet.”

Former Swansea striker Baker-Richardson, meanwhile, will see a specialist in London after suffering a hip injury in training on the artificial surface at Hopwood.

“It was a freak incident where he’s jarred his hip attempting a shot on the artificial surface,” said Dunn.

“So now we just have make sure he receives the best advice and treatment to get him back to fitness as soon as possible."

He added: "It’s just so frustrating for Courtney to pick up an injury so early in his time here with us.

“He came here really fired up to get going and show what he can do once he was up to match speed so this is a real setback for him and for us.”