JOSH Earl admits his first full season with Barnsley has been ‘frustrating’ on an individual and collective level.

The defender has started 32 of the 44 league games so far – the fourth most of any Reds player – but, having been suspended for a match in October, missed 11 games in total due to two month-long injuries in December then March.

Earl, who signed from Fleetwood in January last year, told the Chronicle: “It’s been frustrating. I have missed quite a few games through injury.

“It’s probably been similar to the team – up and down with good and bad moments.

“It’s my first full season for Barnsley so hopefully next season we can crack on and I can play a big part.”

Mid-table Barnsley will now look for their seventh home win of the League One season when they host bottom club Shrewsbury on Saturday.

Earl said: “Ending the season well and picking up our home form would be a nice feeling for us and our fans.

“It has been disappointing season, and especially at home, but we can only do what we have left to do with a few decent home results on the bounce which can give us a good starting block for next season.”

Earl praised new head coach Conor Hourihane, saying: “I have really enjoyed working under him and it’s the complete right appointment to put him in.

“The lads respect him, he respects us. It’s been really fun working with him.

“He has the summer now to bring players in or whatever.”

Earl has been playing at left-back recently. He said: “I have always said I will play wherever. I will never pull a face at playing any position. I enjoy playing left back or centre half.

“We have been playing a lot of football recently and I get a lot of the ball.”