ONE player who will be keen to get on the scoresheet Saturday is striker Chris Porter who, due to injury, has just one goal to his credit in 2005.

He was the subject of an audacious bid to lure him away from Gigg Lane by Oldham Athletic boss Ronnie Moore last weekend.

It was an attempt that was unceremoniously kicked into touch by Barrow who sees the 21-year-old striker as a key man for years to come at the club.

"I think Chris is rated higher now than he was three or four weeks ago," explained Barrow.

"We certainly weren't as effective with him out of the side recently.

"Things have lifted since he's come back and I think it's clear just how much hard work he does for the side.

"While Dave Nugent was hogging the limelight, Chris was doing a lot of donkey work and it's like that with a lot of striker combinations.

"He's six foot two, getting bigger and stronger and is no slouch, he's conscientious and keen to do well.

"Next season we could have another very good player on our hands like Nugent."

Porter is just one of a number of the current first team squad that Barrow is desperate to sign up for next season with only striker Jon Newby and defender Tom Kennedy already under contract.

He has been in consultation with the board with regard to starting negotiations and the sooner the better as far as he is concerned.

"We still have the basis of a good side if we can get these players signed on," he said.

"There's no way we want to lose the likes of Dwayne Mattis and Brian Barry-Murphy to other clubs.

"It would be nice to get a few more points on the board and get down to some serious talking."