Barrow wait on thigh injury to winger Paul Rutherford

Rutherford is recovering from a thigh injury ahead of the new season

Barrow joint-boss Dave Bayliss is hopeful winger Paul Rutherford can recover from a thigh injury in time for a friendly at Colwyn Bay on 6 August.

Rutherford, 24, is back in training but yet to feature in pre-season.

"Paul is precautionary, he can do the running but the minute he opens up for a sprint he feels the thigh," Bayliss told BBC Radio Cumbria.

"Our physio says he will take him away for the week, work on strengthening and get him for Colwyn Bay."

The former Chester City winger has made 80 league appearances for the Bluebirds since his move to Holker Street in July 2009.

Meanwhile Bayliss is also confident that midfielder James Owen will be available for the opening Blue Square Bet Premier fixture of the season against Tamworth on 14 August.

Owen, 20, was a regular in the first-team last season, scoring twice in 32 games, but was sidelined with a hernia problem that has resurfaced this pre-season.

"James Owen has the same problem as last season," Bayliss added.

"Sean Riley [physio] has him in at Preston Hospital on Thursday for a scan, and if he does need an operation he will have it within three or four days of the scan.

"Hopefully James won't be out for long after the season starts if he does need the operation."

Barrow host Workington in a pre-season friendly on Friday, 30 July.