Fit-again Foley ready to assist Barrow escape

Veteran midfielder Sam Foley says he is ready to contribute however he can to help Barrow avoid relegation from League Two.

The 39-year-old returned to action as a late substitute in the 2-2 draw at Cheltenham Town on Friday.

It was his first match since mid-August after he battled his way back from a serious injury in which he tore a tendon in his thigh which required surgery.

"As tough as times have been, it's only going to prepare you for what's to come," he told BBC Radio Cumbria.

"Hopefully I can contribute on and off the pitch now with the lads and try to help them through to the end."

Given his age, Foley admits he contemplated whether such an injury might hasten him into retirement, but he was determined to return to fitness.

Despite some dark moments through the winter when he was stuck in the treatment room, he has made it back, which he describes as a "great feeling".

"I always felt I was going to get back," he said. "I suppose there might have been in my mind that I might have played my last game but it was quickly deleted from the hard drive.

"I've always had the mentality that the next game could be my last game. It's the conversation I've had here with the new gaffer when I came back into training.

"I do know I've got to contribute but I'm always quite the optimist and think there will be another day for me."

In Foley's absence, it has been a chaotic season at Holker Street. Andy Whing lost his job as head coach in December, Paul Gallacher lasted all of five games with Dino Maamria then parachuted in as the third permanent boss of the campaign.

The experienced Foley, in his fourth season at Barrow, admits that the revolving door has been difficult, particularly for the younger players in the squad.

"When you're a younger player, it can have its challenges," said Foley. "They want to impress the manager and there is a lot going on internally.

"Confidence comes from having a manager you can trust and when the message and personnel changes so frequently, it can have an effect.

"The older lads get on with it. They get on board because they want the same thing as the manager. They want to win.

"Hopefully now Dino can get us where we want to be, which is going up the division and picking points up and the lads are all fully on board with that."

Barrow are one point above bottom-placed Harrogate Town and only out of the two relegation places on goal difference as they prepare for Tuesday's visit of Bristol Rovers, who are six points above Barrow in 20th.