CONOR Hourihane is set to lead a team in pre-season for the first team as a head coach from Monday.
The 34-year-old, who was appointed permanently by Barnsley in April following a brief interim stint after the sacking of Darrell Clarke, is in his first managerial role after a stellar playing career which included a spell as Reds captain before gaining international and Premier League experience.
He is understood to have been at Oakwell this week with his coaching staff, preparing for the six-week-long pre-season.
Almost the full squad is expected to return for training on Monday, including players who were loaned out last season such as Bradford City promotion hero Jack Shepherd and Kyran Lofthouse.
Jon Russell is still on international duty with Jamaica while players who finished last season with injury include Jackson Smith, Neil Farrugia, Georgie Gent and Fabio Jalo.
Gent and Jalo could miss a large slice of next season depending on their recoveries.
The Reds have been off for seven weeks since finishing their last season on May 3, with players each returning for four ‘check-in days’ so the club staff can monitor their fitness.
The new season starts on the weekend of August 1-3, before which they are due to play at least five friendlies.
They are set to face Northern Premier League side Emley on Tuesday, July 1 – just eight days into pre-season – before travelling four days later to Worksop Town who have just been promoted to the National League North.
Another trip to the East Midlands to take on a National League North side follows on July 8, as Alfreton Town will be their third opponent in a week.
They are then due to visit League Two Harrogate Town on July 19 and National League York City on the 22nd.
Those games – with only the Harrogate match against EFL opponents – are likely to supplemented by some behind-closed-doors fixtures, possibly against Championship opponents.
There are no home friendlies this season in front of fans, as the Oakwell pitch was only relaid following the boxing match at Oakwell last week when Callum Simpson won the European title.
Meanwhile, Barnsley are due to find out their fixtures for the 2025/26 League One campaign on Thursday at midday.
The first round of the EFL Cup is due to be drawn on the same day as well as the groups for the EFL Trophy.
Promoted clubs Birmingham City, Wrexham and Charlton Athletic have been replaced by Plymouth Argyle, Cardiff City and Luton Town who have dropped down from the Championship.
The Reds’ Yorkshire neighbours Doncaster Rovers and Bradford have come up from League Two along with Port Vale and AFC Wimbledon, replacing relegated Bristol Rovers, Crawley Town, Cambridge United and Shrewsbury Town.
