Mark Cooper says Barrow AFC have enough quality to get their new season going – while he continues the bid to add more new faces.

The Bluebirds are preparing for their League Two season opener at Stevenage tomorrow.

They will do so without a number of injured players, while Cooper is still aiming to increase his numbers.

But the new boss says there is enough in the ranks to give AFC a good chance of starting 2021/22 on the right foot.

“I’m happy with what we’ve got [for the Stevenage game] and we will be giving it a go,” Cooper told The Mail.

“We’re going to try and add, because we’re short. But what I’ve said all along is I want to add the right ones. I’m not going to add people for the sake of it.

“I’m not bothered if they’re 35 or 18. They’ve got to be the right character and person for what we need.

“It’s trying to find the balance, and at the right price.

“We’re still looking. I won’t just take one for the sake of it. We’ve got enough in the squad to get going until we get the right people.”

Barrow remain in the market for a striker after the recent departure of Scott Quigley.

Cooper said the loan market could be an area of interest and an avenue that could become more open to the Bluebirds at this stage of the summer.

Asked about the prospect of additions before the opening weekend, he said: “There’s nothing imminent, but things can still happen very quickly.

“Loan players are becoming available now, managers are finalising their squads. We could take a loan, or take two, but we’ve got a small squad – we’ve got James Jones not ready yet, Offrande Zanzala, Tom Beadling and Mike Jones; that’s got four massive injuries to big players in the squad.

“But that’s football.”

This weekend’s opponents, who enjoyed a strong second half of last season, could tomorrow include former Bluebirds man Brad Barry.

The game, meanwhile, should see a host of AFC debuts, with Paul Farman and Mark Ellis among a number of new faces set for their first outings. Cooper added: “We’re just trying to be as organised as we can, try and play a little bit of football and try and get off to a good start.

“If you can do that and get some momentum then, as Morecambe showed last year, anything can happen.

“There’s always anticipation with it being the first game of the season, and [for Barrow] the first proper season back in the league.

“I know the fans will be looking forward to it and we’re looking forward to it as well.”