Harrogate Town return to action after seeing their last three fixtures postponed as they host Barrow at the Envirovent Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Sulphurites have not played since an opening-day 3-2 victory against Rochdale with EFL League Two fixtures against Leyton Orient and Crawley Town rescheduled as well as a forfeiture of their first-round Carabao Cup tie due to multiple positive COVID-19 tests.

Barrow have played three games so far with one win, one loss and one draw. The Bluebirds also advanced to the second round of the Carabao Cup with a narrow 1-0 victory over Scunthorpe United.

Team news

Forward Dimitri Sea is in concussion protocol following his substitution against Hartlepool United last Saturday. Barrow will also be without attacking midfielder Jamie Devitt, still nursing a thigh injury, defender Matt Platt, out with a back injury, midfielders Mike Jones, still recovering from Achilles surgery and Tom Beadling, nursing a partial tear to his ACL.

Harrogate boss Simon Weaver must assess the fitness of his squad following an enforced two-week break due to five players testing positive for COVID-19 with five others self-isolating.

Some were affected more than others and the Sulphurites boss is hopeful of having at least two of them available for selection this weekend.

Predicted lineups

Harrogate Town: Oxley; Burrell, Hall, McArdle, Page; Thomson, Falkingham, Pattison, Muldoon; Martin, Armstrong

Barrow: Farman; Grayson, Ellis, Brown; Brough, White, Banks, Hutton; Williams; Gordon, Zanzala

Ones to watch

Luke Armstrong

On loan to Hartlepool last season, the 25-year old scored 15 times in 33 appearances to help Pools re-gain their place in the Football League. Making the permanent switch from Salford City to Harrogate over the summer, he bagged a goal on his debut for the club against Rochdale.

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Josh Gordon

After being released by Walsall following the conclusion of last season, Barrow snapped up the former Saddlers frontman, who scored 27 goals in 123 appearances and he found the back of the net in the Bluebirds most recent amtch against Hartlepool.

Previous meetings

With both sides promoted to the Football League for the first time last season, they have only met twice at this level with Harrogate claiming 1-0 victories in both matchups. 

Jack Muldoon was the hero in both wins for the Sulphurites, scoring with their first shot of the game in the 22nd minute in this fixture last season to give Harrogate their maiden home victory as a Football League side.

He then came off the bench and found the back of the net in the 84th minute in the reverse fixture at Holker Street in March.

How to watch

Due to restrictions around live streaming on a Saturday afternoon, no live footage is allowed to be shown. Town Live and iFollow Barrow will have audio coverage with kick-off set for 15:00 BST.