BARNOLDSWICK boss Danny Craig has heaped praise on goalkeeper Connor King after the teenage stopper returned to parent club Burnley.

The 18-year-old has spent the first half of the season on loan with Barlick and has impressed boss Craig who believes the youngster has an exciting future in the game.

King is set to feature for Burnley in the FA Youth Cup fourth round clash at home to Plymouth Argyle tonight and is likely to spend the remainder of the season at Turf Moor playing Under-23 football.

And Craig, who is hopeful of adding a goalkeeper to his ranks in time for the Hallmark Security League Premier Division trip to Runcorn Town tomorrow, believes any future move for King should be to a higher level.

"He has been absolutely fantastic for us," said the Barlick boss. "He has come into our team as an 18-year-old with a brilliant attitude and has not looked out of place for us at all this season.

"I think he has been one of the best keepers in the league and if you could bottle his attitude you would make a fortune.

"The next move he makes should be three or four levels higher up than us because he is that good.

"He has probably been our best passer of the ball and he is a huge talent.

"We are happy that he is going back to Burnley to hopefully get some time playing Under-23 football to help him in his development.

"He has a really bright future in the game."

The former England Under-16 international has been a virtual ever present for Barlick this term as Craig's men have steadily climbed the table in recent weeks with four wins in their last five games.

That form was halted by a weather-enforced break over Christmas with the club not having played since a 3-0 win over Irlam on December 23.

But Craig is hoping his side can hit the ground running when they make the trip to title-chasing Runcorn Town tomorrow afternoon.

"I didn't want Christmas to come," admits the Barlick boss. "We were starting to get the reward for our efforts and we are one of the form teams in the league.

"Hopefully we can pick up where we left off because it will be a tough game against Runcorn. They are one of the usual suspects in our league but we played them at home earlier in the season and only lost 1-0 and perhaps should have won that game so we can go there confident.

"It is no secret that we want to try and be a top six team in this league and to do that you have to beat teams like Runcorn."

Craig could call on Tom Turner between the posts if he is unable to sign a new stopper ahead of the game.

Elsewhere, Padiham are on the road at Ashton Athletic while in the first division Bacup Borough entertain Litherland REMYCA and Nelson travel to Cammell Laird.

In the Evo-Stik North Clitheroe bid to continue their push for the play-offs with a trip to Atherton Collieries while Colne visit Prescot Cables and Ramsbottom United entertain Skelmersdale United.