Conor Hourihane has provided more details on Patrick Kelly’s injury, Jon Russell’s ‘trial’ on the left wing and why he is using a central midfield two this season.

Midfielder Kelly missed Saturday’s win over Reading and was on the sidelines in a protective boot having returned from a spell with Northern Ireland under 21s.

Hourihane told the Chronicle: “It’s not as bad as it looks. When people see a boot they think ‘oh no’. He will be out a couple of weeks. I didn’t want to mention it pre-game. He got a little bit of a knock away on international duty. He will probably miss Blackpool (on Saturday) then hopefully we will have him back for the next home game.”

Russell has been a central midfielder for most of his career but came on on Saturday in a left wing role. The Jamaica international made his 100th appearance but, despite scoring seven goals in his last seven Reds starts, has not started in the league for Hourihane’s high-flying side this season.

The head coach told the Chronicle: “Our left winger comes into the left ‘ten’ position so that will suit him moving forward. He needs to learn a little bit out of possession how that works. That was the first game trialing it.

“With Nate (left-back Nathanael Ogbeta) being high and wide it lets our left wingers play in that pocket. Jon can suit that role and a good week on the training ground in that position will probably help him moving forward.”

Hourihane played captain Luca Connell and teenager Jono Bland as his two midfielders in a 4-2-3-1 formation, after several years of the Reds mainly using three central midfielders with one holding and two being more attacking.

“Last year I felt, on transitions, we were very open. I think two in there gives us a really good base on how want to play. They connect the game together, they can track runners. They can be in and around the defensive side. They give us a foundation with and without the ball. They are starting to get to a pairing that is performing at a really high level. Blandy’s 19 and he’s playing like he’s 23 or 24. Credit to them both they have been training and playing at a really high level.”

Barnsley played some excellent attacking football at times in the 3-2 win over the Royals. Hourihane said: “It’s just down to the work we do every day and the clarity we give the lads on the pitch in terms of where we want people to stand at certain times. Luca and Blandy know people are going to be in certain positions all the time. I ask the sixes to be really disciplined so they can connect the game. Everyone has clarity of their role which is so important. Our attacking play has been good this season so far and we’ll score goals.”