Paul Heckingbottom is delighted that his team have picked up four points from two games with many of their key players missing and hopes to take that form into an easier-looking November.

Twelfth-placed Barnsley, who visit Burton Albion tomorrow, are four points off the play-offs and six clear of the relegation zone. While only Nottingham Forest and bottom club Rotherham have conceded more than the Reds, they are the second top-scorers in the division behind leaders Newcastle United.

Their win at Brentford and draw at home to Bristol City, which ended a run of one point from six matches, were achieved despite a depleted squad. Marc Roberts and Aidy White – two of the first choice back four – have been out injured as have attackers Saidy Janko, Tom Bradshaw and Stefan Payne while Marley Watkins and Adam Davies have carried on despite illness.

Conor Hourihane and Josh Scowen, the first choice central midfielders were both suspended for Saturday's 2-2 draw with Bristol City, with youngster Josh Kay having to make his debut. Head coach Paul Heckingbottom said: "The most pleasing thing for me is that we have picked up four points from the games when we have had the fewest players available. It's been really pleasing and it's a good reflection on the squad.  Stuff like that means a lot to me.

"To a man the players helped Josh Kay through the game brilliantly. I was over the moon with the way they looked after a young player who is one of their own."

While the illness has now passed, the injured players are all unlikely to return for tomorrow's game but should be in contention after the international break. Heckingbottom said: "There's no point rushing them back for one game.  We may as well wait until after the international break. We have had them all out at once and hopefully we will get them all back at once. If we weren't getting injuries we would think: 'are we working them hard enough?'

"I think we have got through it now.  Hopefully we will have the majority back before the next game after the break which will be Wigan. But that can change quickly, it might change at Burton."

After the visit to the Pirelli Stadium and the international break, Barnsley complete their November fixtures with a home game against the third promoted side Wigan, currently in the relegation zone, before hosting 20th-placed Forest. While they appear to be three winnable fixtures, Heckingbottom is cautious.

"We are trying to put a run together but this league is crazy. You can never give yourself points and expect anything.  You have to give your best in every game and sometimes that might not even be good enough, but I know now and the players know that we have got a great chance of winning games at this level.

"It is strange to have only three games in a month but it gives us more time to train and get ready for the forthcoming run-up to Christmas when it gets busy."

Meanwhile, Jamie Clapham's contract as first team coach has been extended until the end of the season. The 40-year-old was brought in to assist Heckingbottom on a short-term basis at the end of September following the sacking of former Reds assistant head coach Tommy Wright, who was implicated in a corruption scandal.