BARROW AFC boss Pete Wild has said that he could potentially be without 'three' first-team players ahead of the Bluebirds' FA Cup second-round clash.

A matter of days after their historic 2-0 victory against Walsall at Holker Street, Wild's Barrow are preparing for a 330-mile trip to Kent to take on National League South Maidstone United in the Football Association Challenge Cup.

Ahead of this second-round clash, Wild provided a positive update on the fitness of his squad, with the Bluebirds only set to be without full-backs Tyrell Warren and Junior Tiensia, who are recovering from long-term injuries, and midfielder Robbie Gotts who faces a fitness check after picking up a concussion.

He said: "Everybody is fit and well, there are only the two long-termers, Ged [Garner] is back in training now and obviously Robbie Gotts is still out with concussion but he is coming in for an assessment this morning [Thursday] to see how he is progressing.

"We are only expecting them three to be out of the squad this weekend."

Wild also detailed the work that goes on off the pitch to ensure that his Bluebirds maintain their fitness and are ready to meet the demands of his footballing philosophy.

He said: "One characteristic of a Pete Wild team is that you have to run and you have to be fit to play for us. That has always been my mantra over the last five years is, I want fit, athletic boys who run and run and run and they are certainly doing that at the moment.

"That then comes with you have pick the right characters that keep themselves in prime condition and are ready to go, so there is a lot of respect for the players and how they go about their business and how they keep themselves fit.

"There is also a lot of respect for the staff who keep them in prime condition, look at the numbers, look at their gym programs, look at their physical programs to make sure they are ready for me, Adam, and Jason on the pitch."