PAUL Crarey believes Jake Carter will return to Barrow Raiders a much-improved player once his loan spell with Whitehaven has concluded.

The 20-year-old half-back moved up to West Cumbria on an initial one-month loan deal last week, making his debut off the interchange bench and kicking a drop-goal in the 33-18 win away to Workington Town on Good Friday.

Carter has featured twice for the Raiders in the Betfred Championship during his first season as a professional, but head coach Crarey is in no doubt he will benefit from this move.

"Sometimes the Championship is a bit quick and demanding, and it wasn't fair to put him in when we needed our own halves to settle and get some consistency," said Crarey.

"He played a couple of games, he needs to develop physically and he's got all the skills. They needed a half-back and we said we'd send him out on loan.

"We've got plenty of wingers and plenty of halves, so we'll send him up there and he'll come back a better player.

"Jake will benefit from being at that level because it's intense one week and not the next, so there won't be as much pressure on him to deliver."

Carter's fellow Furness Raiders graduate Ryan Johnston started for Barrow against Toronto Wolfpack on Good Friday, with Lewis Charnock again playing at loose forward.

And Crarey has high hopes for both young prospects.

"There's no doubt in my mind him (Carter) and Ryan Johnston will be the future halves at this club," said Crarey.

"They're quality players, they've come through our system and we know Jake is in good hands at Whitehaven."