Crarey hopeful Morrow can step up at Barrow

Barrow Raiders coach Paul Crarey is keen to sign highly rated amateur player Danny Morrow, but accepts that injury issues might scupper a deal.

Morrow has represented Cumbria and BARLA Great Britain, but has been unable to move to the professional ranks in the past due to work commitments, as well as a long-standing groin injury.

Barrow have monitored the player for a time, and he was part of a group of players who gathered for the club’s initial preseason sessions this week.

“I’m a big fan of Danny Morrow. I always have been,” Crarey told the North West Evening Mail.

“I think he has a great attitude – he has got the attitude to be a professional player. He looks after his body and when I looked at him in training, he’s ready to jump in.

“But Danny has had a serious groin problem and he has had to have it repaired. I spoke to Shaun (Danny’s dad and the Walney coach) and Danny about him and he wants to see if he can get through the strenuous pre-season programme.

“If he can get through that, he’s cracked it. The issue is solely down to his groin holding up.

“He has come down for a reason, to see if he can get through the training, which is more intense. I asked him about his groin after training and he said ‘it’s not my groin Paul, it’s my lungs’.”

Crarey has stated that the final decision rests with the player, keen as he is to bring him into his squad.

“He’s done everything he can in the amateur game – he’s played for Great Britain, he’s been on tour, he’s won the County Championship – so it’s entirely up to him,” the coach added.

“In a heartbeat I would like him at the club, but it’s not my decision, it’s his decision.”