Farsley Celtic boss Adam Lakeland confident of extending loan deal for keeper Josh Barnes

The 22-year-old has made three appearances for the National League North side since joining earlier this month.

Manager Adam Lakeland said: “Initially we’ve got him until after the Boston game but we are in discussions with Derby to try and extend it to the end of the season. We’re quite confident that will happen.”

With 11 games remaining this season, Farsley are still in the hunt for a play-off place. Lakeland’s side have recently enjoyed an upturn in form which has coincided with the inclusion of young shot stopper Barnes.

The manager added: “He’s been excellent for us. He made his debut for us at Brackley – probably as difficult a place as there is for anybody to be thrown in. He kept a clean sheet, it was a massive win for us and he played very well against Alfreton.

“He took a bang to the head and then missed the Kidderminster game. He then obviously came back in for the Blyth game, kept another clean sheet. That’s seven points from three games that he’s played for us and two clean sheets.”

With a tough run-in ahead for Lakeland’s men, the manager believes that having a keeper of Barnes’ quality provides a lot of stability at the back saying: “He’s just brought in a bit of confidence and trust.

“Not just the back line but into the whole team. That’s hopefully something we can now have for the rest of the season.”

Following the postponement of Farsley’s encounter with Boston United yesterday, the club’s next game will take place next Saturday against Hereford at home.