Carlisle United's fellow Cumbrians Barrow AFC have confirmed that they have offered furlough to a number of out-of-favour players. 

The Bluebirds insist the move is a way of “exploring every lifeline” possible amid the financial challenges of Covid-19. 

The step, though, will inevitably invite criticism, following the club’s major January transfer window recruitment – and with Barrow having recently said their financial outlook was at its "healthiest for decades".

It will also be regarded as controversial in light of the Government’s job retention scheme having been set up to provide job security for companies unable to operate fully during the Covid-19 pandemic - rather than something for clubs to use amid player recruitment.

The club’s measures were revealed today by The Athletic, who named Sam Hird and ex-Carlisle loan man Connor Brown as among six players to have been offered furlough. 

Barrow said some of their players have accepted the offer but did not name the individuals concerned.

They said in a statement: “The club, like many others, is struggling to survive through an unprecedented season and is exploring every lifeline at its disposal. 

“The players outside our named squad have been offered furlough, which the club has made clear is entirely discretionary, in order to save them travel costs and the potential risk of commuting to training during the pandemic. 

“No player who accepts the club’s offer, which several have so far done, will be financially disadvantaged as a result.” 

The club have not named those players now on furlough, and have today made no further comment on the situation.

The Bluebirds signed nine new players in the January transfer window in their bid to climb out of the League Two relegation battle. 

It is understood those on furlough will continue to receive their full salaries up to £2,500 a month but with 80 per cent now provided by the taxpayer. 

A majority of EFL clubs have placed members of their workforce on furlough amid the latest lockdown, but Barrow are the first to be identified as one who have furloughed players mid-season. 

In the National League, Chesterfield last month furloughed a number of out-of-favour players. 

Barrow, who are third bottom in the table after last season's promotion, recently spoke about their financial situation, with chief executive Levi Gill citing an interview by chairman Paul Hornby where he said it was “the healthiest it has been in decades".

Gill added of the January recruitment: “Additional cost will necessarily be incurred, but at a level which is manageable to the owners. 

“Additionally, some financial commitments planned for this season have been able to be pushed back to the summer which is allowing us to stay on or around the original spend profile we set out for the club at the beginning of the season.”

Barrow, meanwhile, have confirmed that former Carlisle midfielder Mike Jones is set to miss the rest of the season with an achilles injury.