Marley Watkins would be 'disappointed' if Barnsley missed out on a play-off place and says the Reds are a better team than they think they are.

The 26-year-old attacker has been a regular for Barnsley in a season which he believes they can finish in the top six. Watkins said: "I would be disappointed if we didn't make the play-offs now.  It's tough but doable. We have all got to knuckle down and live it for the next three months because it is the opportunity of a lifetime.

"I think we are better than we think we are. We gave Aston Villa too much respect in the first 20 minutes (of a 3-1 win on Tuesday) before we got the first goal and realised we were better than them. The most impressive thing was that we still won after all the running we did at Reading on Saturday. Otherwise, I thought we would beat Villa because we are the better team."

Watkins, who has six goals and seven assists in his first Championship season, is eyeing a call-up for Chris Coleman's Wales in next month's international break. He said: "Hopefully I will get a call-up. All I can control is what I do with Barnsley. But I feel my stats are worthy of it. I have been on stand-by before and Coleman was at the Reading game on Saturday. He's done a great job and whatever he decides will be the right decision."

Watkins, who is out of contract in the summer, submitted a transfer request after hearing of Premier League interest last month. He said: "The request was rejected. I am still here and I am happy to be here. We will have to see what happens at the end of the season with my contract. I am just focusing on the games we have left.

"I told the gaffer (Paul Heckingbottom) before I put the request in because I respect him so much.  He understood my reasons."