New signings Jordan Stevens and Robbie Gotts will come straight into the reckoning for Barrow AFC this weekend.

The former Leeds United pair, who joined Barrow on transfer deadline day, are set to be involved for the Bluebirds at Oldham.

The young midfielders were brought in during the final hours of the transfer window as Mark Cooper bolstered his injury-hit squad.

The AFC manager said he can count on the pair being ready having been part of a famously fit Elland Road set-up under Marcelo Bielsa.

Cooper believes both will enhance the squad at Holker Street and will prove to be much-needed additions.

“I think it was important in the current situation that I could add players that were robust and could play games,” Cooper said.

“You know that if you want a fit player, any club that you’re going to get them from – Leeds United’s the one.

“It was important that they were really fit, able to run and at the right age.

“I know Jordan – I sold him to Leeds when I was the Forest Green manager and it looked at one point that he was going to carve a career out there.

“It hasn’t happened for one reason or another. He needs a fresh start and I think I can get the best out of him.

“Robbie Gotts was highly rated at one point at Leeds, and he’s played well at League One, Championship, and in this league last year was very good at Salford.”

Cooper said the two 21-year-olds fit the profile of the sort of player that can make Barrow better for the longer term - and help the club build in a more progressive way.

“They’re two signings that make complete sense, the kind of signings the club should be looking to make in the future,” he said.

“Last year it’s well-documented the club had 35 players – too many. They got too many wrong.

“I was prepared to wait to the right time and we managed to get it done.

“I think they’re the right type. They can both run box to box, they can press, they can go past people with the ball, they can both create.

“They’ll be really exciting signings for them.”

On the prospect of the new boys being involved at Boundary Park tomorrow, Cooper said it was inevitable given the injury situation at Barrow.

“We’ve had the same sort of group of players playing eight games in 23-24 days or so,” he said.

“At some point we need to give some a breather. They’ve got to come straight into the reckoning.”