Barrow AFC boss Michael Jolley says the experience, versatility and winning mentality of Neal Eardley led him to move for the right-back.

The Burton defender last night joined the Bluebirds on loan until the end of the season.

And Jolley said 32-year-old Eardley is of the right calibre to improve the AFC side and bolster their bid to climb the League Two table.

“If you look at the profile of our existing squad, you could level at us that we haven’t got a huge amount of experience across the board,” Jolley said.

“We have some experienced lads but aren’t overly-stocked with experience across the board.

“Neal brings us that – but ‘experience’ doesn’t necessarily mean old. He’s still a good age, still very fit and he wants to come and play and help Barrow.

“He’s a good fit for us, is a versatile player in that he can play a few different roles, so I feel he’s a good addition to the squad.

“The word mentality is also absolutely relevant in terms of bringing somebody like Neal in. He’s had successes throughout his career, and he knows his way around certainly this level and higher.

“I think he adds to our squad in terms of experience, quality, he’s a good player and a good character. We’re pleased to have him.”

Jolley said Eardley’s pedigree made it a no-brainer when it came the opportunity arose to sign the Wales international.

The new signing could be involved immediately against Scunthorpe tomorrow.

Jolley added: “Most people who know football in the lower leagues will know about Neal Eardley, where he’s been and what he’s achieved.

“He’s always been a player I’ve admired and when the opportunity came up to work with him and bring him into Barrow it was a good one for us. I’ve got a clear idea on how I want to use him but don’t want to give too much away. He certainly adds competition to our squad. Most of his career he’s played at right-back but he can also play right wing-back, left-back, left wing-back, and even sometimes higher up.”

Jolley said work is ongoing to add further new faces before the end of the winter transfer window.

He said: “It’s probably going to be touch and go whether we can do more business between now and the Scunthorpe game – we may be against the clock somewhat, but by the time we play our next match, which is Grimsby on the 26th, I would hope there will have been a fair amount of activity will have taken place by that date.”

The Bluebirds are set to undergo their latest round of Covid-19 testing today, having come through their most recent tests with a clean bill of health.

Injury-wise, meanwhile, Jolley added: “We are largely unchanged. The ones that are still out remain so, and the ones that have been fit are all fine.

“A couple of the boys had to miss a little bit of training this week, but nothing too serious hopefully and hopefully they’ll all be ready to go for Saturday.”