THE Reds are due to take on Fleetwood Town on Wednesday night in the EFL Cup – and one man who knows all about cup ties against The Cod Army is Ashley Fletcher.

Now playing his football in League One with Blackpool, Fletcher signed for the Reds in 2016 and scored on his professional debut against Fleetwood just days later in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

That side included current Reds head coach Conor Hourihane – and the 29-year-old said he always knew the Irishman would make his way into management.

He told the Chronicle: “His leadership and what he was like day-to-day was brilliant for me.

“I can see why he’s gone on to manage and he seems to be doing a really good job.

“When you come up against lads you’ve played with or against and you see them transitioning into that management role – I just love it.

“It’s the natural progression.

“Especially for leaders in the dressing room.

“I’ve no doubt that Conor will do an unbelievable job there and he’s a proper leader.

“He’s someone who knows the club inside out and I wish him all the best.”

After a successful first season in professional football at Oakwell, Fletcher returned to his parent club Manchester United.

He eventually signed for West Ham – who were in the Premier League – but admits he was more than open to a permanent move back to South Yorkshire.

He said: “Ultimately I wanted to come back (to Barnsley).

“I had to go back to United and see what there kind of of movement was in terms of if I was going to be in and around the first team or back in the 21s.

“I made the decision to leave.

“Barnsley was an option of course.

“But when West Ham came in it was too good a chance to turn down.

“It maybe came a little bit too soon looking back.

“But I’m happy with how my career has gone and I wouldn’t change anything.

“Playing for Barnsley, it was always an honour to represent them.”

He scored in a 3-0 win at Oakwell for Blackpool back in March but refused to celebrate, and was applauded by the Barnsley faithful for doing so.

Fletcher said: “That was out of respect because the club gave me a chance when not many people had heard of me.

“I didn’t have any skin in the game and it was a risk to take a young player on – especially in the position they were in.

“It’s that respect I have for the club and I know they have the same for me.

“When I scored it was bittersweet.

“Obviously I’m a Blackpool player now and I’m loving it here but I’ll always have a good relationship with the club.

“It’s a brilliant football club.”