JOSH Johnson is already living up to the expectations Paul Crarey had of him after impressing on his debut last Sunday.

The prop was thrown straight into action against Batley Bulldogs just four days after signing for Barrow on a one-year deal and lead from the front in the 22-18 win.

His deal contains a clause which allows him to leave if the opportunity to play full-time rugby comes along again and Raiders head coach Crarey hopes the former Hull Kingston Rovers man can continue to have an impact however long he is with the club.

“Josh Johnson is very hungry and we’ve had good mail on him,” said Crarey. “John, my friend who’s a season-ticket holder at Huddersfield, said he’s very, very tough and he’ll go forward well.

“He’s got to break in at a Super League club where they can bring in (Mitch) Garbutt and people like that, and it’s very tough because it’s life and death for those clubs.

“But to us, these players are lifelines and if we can look after them and send them back on their way with a lot of confidence then we’ve done our job, and they can help Barrow to get to where we want to go.”

Johnson’s former Hull KR team-mate Jordan Walne played a starring role in the pack at Batley too in both attack and defence, and Crarey is impressed with what both have added to the squad.

“Jordan Walne is a special person,” said Crarey. “They came with great attitude and Josh Johnson apologised for his errors when he was walking off (against Batley).

“But he carried the ball twice in the last set when he was done and he carried as strong as he did when we kicked off.

“They’re great additions to the squad and I want to keep them here for a few years.”