IN-FORM Barrow AFC striker Cole Stockton returns to one of his old stomping grounds for a derby battle with Morecambe today.

Stockton had two loans spells with the Lancashire outfit scoring a total of seven goals from 26 games over the two stints.

He then joined the club on a permanent deal in 2019 and stayed there until last year, scoring 52 goals in 153 appearances.

But while the forward admits he has fond memories of his time at the Shrimps, it’s all about getting the job done at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium today.

“It will be nice. It will be nice to see some old faces. I was there for a long time, and I’ve got nothing but respect for that club,” he said.

“But it’s our job (to go there and get a result). We are going to apply ourselves right.

“We know their threat, we know where they can hurt us, and we know where we can exploit them.

“It’ll be a brilliant day for everyone, but we just need to do what we can do.”

Stockton admits he's enjoying his football as a Bluebird and says the move to Holker Street has been just what he needed.

He said: “I’ve come off the back of three brilliant years there (Morecambe) and went to Burton and it didn’t work out for whatever reason.

“But coming here (Barrow), with the gaffer and the staff and everything it just brings you right back up, and it’s been brilliant for me at this point in my career.”

Stockton has found the net seven times since joining the Bluebirds on loan, two of which came in the 3-1 win over Grimsby Town on Good Friday.

Like any striker he’s fond of a goal, but he’s also looking at the wider picture.

“It’s always nice and always a positive to get on the scoresheet again, but it’s the three points that’s all we want now especially at this time of the season,” he said.

“We’ve got to keep applying ourselves in the right way, and just take it game by game.

“We don’t want to look at the big picture just yet.”

The Bluebirds currently sit fifth in the League two table with a minimum of an eight points gap between them and sides trying to force their way into the play-off spots.

Above them, they are just six points off an automatic promotion place and have a game in hand on Mansfield in second and Wrexham in third.

“We are being chased and we are chasing,” Stockton added. “Listen you could be in worse positions at this stage of the season, so you’ve just got to enjoy it and embrace it.

“I think you’ve just got to enjoy the ride for what it will be for these last few games.”