MATT Doughty has launched a bold bid to hang on to Elliot Newby and turn his highly-successful loan spell into a permanent transfer.

Newby is due back at Barrow next Friday after scoring four goals in his last six Altrincham appearances and impressing with his pace and direct approach in a three-month stay.

But after being encouraged by his response in talks over his future, Doughty is seeking permission from Bluebirds boss Paul Cox to make the livewire winger a fully-fledged Alty player.

“I’ll hopefully find out one way or the other in the next 24 hours, but I want to keep Elliot, 100 per cent, and I’m doing everything I can to make it happen,” said the Alty manager.

“I have already spoken to Elliot about it, and he won’t take any persuading. He has loved it here. I’ve given him the freedom to do what he wants in the final third, and he has been scoring goals and playing well. It won’t be a further loan, if I have my way. We’ll take his contract over, and he will become an Altrincham player, but I need their manager to pick up his phone first!

“He’s been blanking me, not picking up or answering my texts, but I’ll get through to him, because I need to know what his plans are for Elliot.

“If he’s not going to play him, I hope he’ll let us keep him, because he has been a positive influence from day one and would be a real asset for us.’”

Alty’s injury problems continued to mount in Tuesday night’s 3-1 home defeat to Nuneaton Town, with Sam Heathcote stretchered off, though keeper Stuart Tomlinson (groin) and striker Micah Evans (tonsillitis) should be available again at Bradford Park Avenue on Saturday.

“Sam took a whack on the leg and can’t feel his calf,” said Doughty. “As things stand, he doesn’t seem to have much chance for Saturday. That’s not how we’ve been the last seven or eight games, the way we defended tonight, but it’s a blip we’ll get over.”