A round-up of Barnsley related stories.
RUSSELL AND KELLY TO GO AWAY WITH WORLD CUP HOPEFULS
TWO BARNSLEY midfielders are due to go on senior international duty next week with their countries both in the hunt for a place at the 2026 World Cup.
No contracted Reds player has ever been to a World Cup finals.
Jon Russell is understood to have been selected again for Jamaica who are due to visit Trinidad and Tobago on Thursday then host Curacao the following Tuesday.
Two wins, or a win then draw with second-placed Curacao, would secure a place at next summer’s tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
Russell has been a regular for Steve McLaren’s Jamaica but is yet to start a league game this season for the Reds with his contract due to expire next summer.
Meanwhile, Patrick Kelly has been given his first senior call-up for the Northern Ireland squad.
They are due to visit Slovakia on Friday of next week then host Luxembourg the following Tuesday.
Wins in both the World Cup qualifiers would give them a strong chance of reaching next year’s play-offs, and they could reach them even if they finish third as they won their Nations League group.
Jono Bland is expected to be in the Wales under 21s squad for their European Championships qualifier away against Belarus next Friday.
TRIP TO DONNY COMPLETES SERIES OF YORKSHIRE DERBIES
BARNSLEY are preparing for the last in their series of four all-Yorkshire derbies when they visit Doncaster Rovers from 3pm on Saturday.
The Reds, who have not won in five League One games, are 11th and ahead on goal difference of Rovers who are 13th having won five of their first seven third tier games after promotion but none of the next seven.
Conor Hourihane’s side drew at Bradford City, lost at home to Rotherham then scored an injury-time winner to defeat non-league York City in the FA Cup on Saturday.
The match at Grant McCann’s Doncaster will be the Reds’ only league game in four weeks.
Barnsley won their first two away games of the season but are now winless in five.
REDS TO QUALIFY IN TROPHY UNLESS THEY LOSE BY 7
BARNSLEY will reach the first knock-out round of the EFL Trophy as long as they do not lose by seven goals or more to visitors Lincoln City in their final group game from 7pm on Tuesday.
The Reds lost their opening match at Notts County in September then beat Manchester United under 21s 5-2 in October. County lost to United 2-0 on Tuesday of this week – with the second goal a stunner from Barnsley lad Jacob Devaney – so they have each finished on three points. The Reds also have three but their goal difference is six better than both the others and they have scored more goals.
Lincoln have won both matches 3-0 so are through and will win the group – earning a home draw in the first knock-out round – unless they lose by two goals to Barnsley.
CUP DRAWS FOR YOUTH TEAMS
BARNSLEY under 18s lost 2-0 at home to Sheffield United and are due to visit Coventry City on Saturday.
They have been drawn at home to Mansfield Town in the second round of the FA Youth Cup.
The game is on the main pitch on November 14 from 7pm.
Barnsley under 21s visit Hull City on Tuesday at North Ferriby FC from 1pm.
They have been drawn at home to Hepworth United in the third round of the Sheffield Senior Cup.
