KEEPING Devarn Green until the end of the season is “an important step” for Warrington Town, manager Paul Carden says.

Yellows have extended the winger’s loan spell from National League side Tranmere Rovers after he put in a series of impressive performances since joining in January.

Carden says agreeing a deal for Green to remain at Cantilever Park beyond the transfer deadline of March 22 was key to Town’s ambitions for the rest of the campaign.

“We’ve taken Devarn until the end of the season and that’s an important step for us,” he said.

“What we didn’t want to do was renew his loan because by the time that deal expired, the deadline for transfers will have gone.

“We wouldn’t have been able to bring anyone else in after that, so it was important in that respect to have Devarn with us longer term.

“Thankfully, Tranmere agreed it was better for Devarn to stay and play regularly with us.”

One player temporarily leaving the club is goalkeeper Ben Ascroft, who has joined North West Counties Premier Division side City of Liverpool on loan.

Carden insists the 18-year-old stopper has not been “discarded,” but with Luke Pilling and Tony McMillan ahead of him in the pecking order, the Yellows boss says it was important for Ascroft to play regularly.

“He’s still going to train with us on a Thursday because I do rate him highly. I’m not just discarding him,” he said.

“He’s on a dual registration so we can pull him back as and when, but he’s going to be getting the regular football he needs.

“He’ll be playing in front of big crowds as well and for a team that’s trying to get in the play-offs, so there’s a lot of positives to come from this for Ben.”

Town welcome Barwell to Cantilever Park on Saturday, kick off 3pm, as they aim to continue their push for promotion from the Evo-Stik Premier Division.

The visitors have ambitions of their own and sit just two points outside the play-off places and Carden says he is not surprised by their success.

“We only know what other managers have said about them,” he said.

“To be honest, I’m not surprised they came good when they did. When we played them last, they were very direct and physical.

“When the pitches have turned the way they have, that way of playing can be productive.”

“They’ve obviously got good enough players to pull it off because good results don’t happen if you’re not organised and structured.”

Yellows are also in action on Tuesday night as they travel to Stafford Rangers, kick off 7.45pm.