LEFT-BACK Nick Wilmer-Anderton has already made a significant positive impact under the watchful eye of Barrow boss Paul Cox.

The talented Preston North End defender rejoined AFC on loan last month, but he quickly suffered a setback as he was sent off in the 3-1 defeat at Guiseley on November 7.

After the 19-year-old served a three match ban – with his suspension period ending after the 3-1 reverse at Dover – Darren Edmondson and was replaced by Cox in the Holker Street hot-seat.

Wilmer-Anderton earned an instant recall and was part of Cox’s first AFC starting-11 a fortnight ago when his side secured a 2-1 home win over Woking.

And Wilmer-Anderton’s loan deal has now been extended until January 9, and so the full-back looks certain to be part of the team that lines up at FA Trophy opponents Sutton Coldfield Town tomorrow (3pm kick-off).

Cox said of Wilmer-Anderton: “In the period that I’ve been at the club he’s been excellent.

“I thought he was solid and was everything I’d look for from a full-back in the first game against Woking.

“He’s a young lad with an unbelievable hunger to get better and to progress and I want those kind of players at Barrow.

So I’m very pleased that he’s on board for another month.”

Wilmer-Anderton completed a loan move to Barrow at the start of 2015 and he produced some impressive form before his stay was cut short after suffering serious injury in the 2-0 win at Leamington last February.

He watched on with delight as Barrow subsequently went on to claim the Conference North title and the Preston-based defender is pleased to be back in Furness.

“I had a great time last year, I got the chance to play in a first team and in a team that was doing well and I felt confident in doing that,” said Wilmer-Anderton.

“I felt that I was doing well and improving. I was gutted to get the injury but it’s great to be back.

“There are quite a few players who were here last year.

“Barrow’s not too far from where I live and I’m always going to enjoy it following the experience I had last year with the club going on to win the league.

“So I’m really pleased to be back.”