Bayliss has revealed Lee Woodyatt is close to a return from his broken leg

Barrow joint-manager Dave Bayliss has said the Blue Square Premier strugglers are hopeful of signing a striker and defender on loan.

He told BBC Radio Cumbria: "We've got lads from some Championship clubs from down South wanting to come up here.

"Because we are part-time, it's difficult for players to come up such a long distance from Championship clubs to only train once a week.

"But we are trying to work around that and see what the best situation is."

The Bluebirds are looking to strengthen their squad after being unable to make any further additions during the January transfer window.

"We've had the backing of the chairman and the board who've been great," Bayliss said. "They have said 'wait until the right player comes along and then you can get them'.

"We told Paul Tait and Nick Rogan that we are going to bring in another forward. We always said that we wanted four strikers at the club.

That's why we are looking more at Championship squads because they can afford to lose one or two players Barrow joint-boss Dave Bayliss

Bayliss said the club were trying to fix-up a longer-term arrangement for any future loan signings after Morecambe striker Wayne Curtis was recalled from his loan spell at Holker Street last month.

"We are looking at loan deals until the end of the season so we have no further disruptions," he said.

"People don't realise just how tough it is to get players. People are in the same boat as us because they also have thin squads.

"That's why we are looking more at Championship squads because they can afford to lose one or two players where the League One and Two clubs usually want a recall on their players after a month."

Bayliss has also revealed to BBC Radio Cumbria's Matchnight programme that defender Lee Woodyatt is close to a return to action.

The 25-year-old suffered a break of the tibia and fibia as well as a dislocated ankle during a pre-season friendly at Kendal Town.

"He's very close now," Bayliss said. "He was going to play for the reserves on Wednesday night but we're not sure whether to play him or not.

Six or seven of the lads have been carrying knocks anyway so maybe the rest has been good for them Barrow joint-boss Dave Bayliss

"He's chomping at the bit to play. I think he's fed up of going around all the clubs acting as our main scout at the moment.

"He's looking fit but still carrying a bit of a limp. He just wants to get back playing as quickly as possible. He's a great lad and it will be great to have him back in the squad."

Bayliss also revealed that the weather - and injuries - have severely hampered the club's preparations during the week.

"We had just seven players training with us last Thursday night. You just can't do anything with that few players," he said.

"Six or seven of the lads have been carrying knocks anyway so maybe the rest has been good for them."

The Bluebirds will travel to Oxford United looking for their first away win in the Blue Square Premier since the first week of October.

"They're on a great run at the moment," Bayliss said.

"Chris Wilder has done a great job and it's going to be a tough game but we will go there and expect to get something out of it."

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