Bluebirds boss Rob Kelly has welcomed the return of Matty Platt for the final stages of Barrow AFC’s campaign.

The defender made his first outing for three months in Tuesday’s defeat to Port Vale.

It was a long-awaited return to the side for a key figure in the ranks.

Kelly was delighted the 23-year-old came through things unscathed, with Platt in the reckoning to continue at Tranmere tomorrow.

“His season was a bit stop-start at the beginning, and then he got on a good run of games and form and was playing well,” Kelly said.

“It was a bit of a freak occurrence when he tweaked his knee. But he’s really worked hard and it was great that he got 90 minutes under his belt on Tuesday.

“I spoke with him on Wednesday and he was fine.

“Of course it helps to have him back. You want all your best players fit and available and he’s one of those players.” Kelly could have Josh Kay back for the Tranmere trip, but James Jones is having a hip problem assessed.

Centre-half Tom Davies missed out on Tuesday night, with Kelly saying the Bristol Rovers loan man is being continually monitored.

The caretaker boss said: “He’s one we go day by day with, because of his lack of game time until he came here.

“He’s looked after himself, but Tom’s one we measure as we go along.

“It’s just a case of whether Saturday comes too soon, or whether it’ll be Tuesday [against Forest Green] for him.

“We’ll see. He’s one we monitor on a day to day basis. He’s a good pro and honest with us.”