BARROW AFC boss Pete Wild has revealed the Bluebirds plan to deal with Salford City's free-scoring striker Matt Smith.

The 34-year-old forward, who has also played for clubs such as Leeds United and Fulham, is currently League Two's top scorer with 12 goals.

Smith extended this tally with a hat-trick for the Ammies against Doncaster Rovers during the week.

The Bluebirds now have to attempt to deal with the threat posed by the experienced striker and speaking ahead of the clash, Wild detailed how he hoped his side will be able to do it.

"First and foremost, we have got to keep him out of the box," He said.

"The higher we can keep him up the pitch and out the box the less of a threat he is.

"You are working with your centre-halves to make sure they don't close their shoulders and keep their shoulders open and they don't give him that opportunity to peel off the back and head the ball towards the goal.

"There are lots of things we can deal with but we have got really experienced centre-halves and we are hoping them on the day go and match his strengths."

Wild also challenged his side to emulate the clinical edge they showed on the road at the New Lawn Stadium during the week.

He said: "They will give us opportunities to score and opportunities to hurt them and we need to be ready for them when those opportunities present themselves.