Barnsley have been boosted by the news that striker Tom Bradshaw has been called up to Wales squad for the coming international break but there is disappointment at Adam Davies' omission.

Bradshaw, 24, will look to collect his second cap in the World Cup qualifier next Friday against the Republic or Ireland, who have named former Reds captain Conor Hourihane in their provisional squad. Bradshaw is the joint top-scorer for Barnsley this season with Marley Watkins who is on standby for Wales.

Adam Armstrong has been called up for England under 20s who are due to play against Portugal, France and Senegal in a mini tournament.

Goalkeeper Davies – who has been in previous Wales squads but is still waiting for his first cap – has made the most saves per game in the Championship this season with 3.7 and the most in total with 138. He has played 80 games in a row.

Despite some excellent recent performances, Davies has been left out of Chris Coleman's squad with the goalkeepers selected being Crystal Palace's Wayne Hennessey, Huddersfield's Danny Ward and Owain Fon Williams who plays for Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

Barnsley head coach Paul Heckingbottom told the Chronicle: "They all deserve a call-up but particularly Davo having been there and experienced it.  For me, his form has got better and better and he has got more consistent. "Anyone watching him in the last two or three months can't fail to be impressed by him. If he has been there or therebouts before with Wales, then he deserves it now. "In my opinion he is one of the best goalkeepers in the Championship, but I am biased.  He works really hard in training all the time and he is definitely getting better. "We're seeing big improvements in his game management, distribution and organisation."

As well as Bradshaw, Davies and Watkins, the Reds have several Wales youth players such as January arrivals Gethin Jones and Ryan Hedges as well as under 23s winger Jake Charles. Away from the Welsh involvement, there have been other call-ups for Barnsley players this season with Andy Yiadom going to the Africa Cup of Nations with Ghana earlier this year.

Heckingbottom hopes the chance to play international football will attract players to the club and keep others who are thinking of leaving. He said: "We have to give our players opportunities. "We try to recruit young, hungry players with talent and give them a platform.

"The only way we will make that successful is by pushing them and setting up an environment to make them improve.  We are giving them a chance to play on a big stage now and people want to know what they are all about."