Barnsley manager Neill Collins will be pleased to hear a number of players started their comeback from injury today in an Under 21`s game at Oakwell.
Midfielder Josh Benson continued his comeback from injury with an assured performance playing 65 minutes of the Reds 3-0 win over Bournemouth Under 21s.
According to the Barnsley Chronicle Sports Editor Doug O`Kane, defender Conor McCarthy managed more minutes than Benson as he made his way back to fitness after an injury hit time at Oakwell.
With Liam Kitching and Robbie Cundy out injured, Collins will be hoping McCarthy can put his injury woes behind him and make his way into the first team squad. Jack Shepherd made an impressive debut in the first team in Saturday`s 2-0 victory at Wigan. With new signing Kacper Lopata settling well in English football, there could be strong competition for places in the heart of the Barnsley defence.
There were strong performances too from Aiden Marsh who scored twice in today’s game following on from his assist for John McAtee`s goal at Wigan and Fabio Jalo who continues to be watched by clubs across Europe. Jalo scored once and was unlucky with another shot that hit the crossbar. Both young forwards continue to push for places in the first team squad.
The Reds travel to Cheltenham Town on Saturday before a football league trophy group game at home to Grimsby Town on Tuesday 5th September. That league cup game could be the ideal opportunity for Jalo and Marsh to make claims for a place within the first team. The Grimsby game could also be ideal for the likes of Benson and McCarthy to gain valuable more minutes in their rehabilitation from injury.
Earlier this week, The Yorkshire Post reported that Kitching remained an active target of the Sky Blues – heading into the final week of the transfer window.
The Midlanders saw a £2.5m bid turned down by the League One outfit earlier this month – with the fee rising to £3m, with their improved offer now appearing to have been rebuffed
Barnsley remain in a strong position regarding the future of Kitching, who signed a new contract last December until 2026 with a club option for another year
Speaking recently at a fans’ forum, chairman Neerav Parekh said that the player would ‘definitely’ be staying.
Kitching missed the Reds’ weekend win at Wigan with a groin issue which has been affecting him in the early part of the season.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Barnsley head coach Neill Collins said: “Based on the things I’ve heard up to this point, I am confident he (Kitching) will be a Barnsley player, but again we have all been in the game long enough to know that things can change. Until that window shuts, I will just try and stay level-headed about that
