A round-up of some Barnsley FC stories coming out of the weekend.
REDS LOOK FOR THIRD STRAIGHT WIN IN MIDWEEK
Barnsley will look to make it three straight wins in all competitions when they host Lincoln City in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday from 7pm
The Reds will reach the first knock-out round as long as they do not lose their final group game by seven goals or more.
They could overtake leaders Lincoln and secure a home draw if they win by two or more goals.
The Reds will be without midfielders Jon Russell, Jono Bland and Patrick Kelly due to international call-ups.
Adam Phillips is recovering from injury, youngster Kieran Graham was on the bench on Saturday while Nigeria international Kelechi Nwakali has not been involved with the first team this season.
Lincoln are sixth in League One, four points ahead of Barnsley who did the double over them last season.
The Imps are winless in four in all competitions having lost 3-0 in the league at Rotherham on Saturday.
CONOR PRAISES VIMAL AFTER GOAL
Barnsley boss Conor Hourihane praised Vimal Yoganathan after the midfielder scored his first goal in the EFL.
The 19-year-old started for the first time in the league since August and opened the scoring in a 2-1 success at Doncaster Rovers on Saturday.
Head coach Hourihane said: “Vimal was playing on the right without the ball but then tucking in in possession. The role suited him very well.
“He’s looked back to his best in the last couple of weeks and he’s trained really well.
“He started the season very strong then had a sending off then a couple of niggling injuries which he needed to sort himself out with.
“I wanted to get him back in the team.”
Hourihane was also pleased with how Barnsley withstood Doncaster pressure in the second half.
“It was always going to be the case that they would throw the kitchen sink at us. The defenders marked really well in the box. We wanted to really stay connected and put pressure on the ball. People have questioned our late goals over the last six or seven games but to come through that spell was really positive.”
FIVE BARNSLEY PLAYERS ON INTERNATIONAL DUTY
Five Barnsley players are on international duty.
Jon Russell is in the Jamaica squad for their World Cup qualifiers at Trinidad and Tobago, which takes place in the early hours of Friday morning, then at home to Curacao on Tuesday evening.
If group leaders Jamaica win in Trinidad, they could qualify with a game to spare but may still need a point in the second game.
Patrick Kelly is in the senior Northern Ireland squad for the first time. They are due to play in Slovakia on Friday night then host Luxembourg on Tuesday.
They are currently third in their World Cup qualifying group but can still technically win the group or, more likely, finish second which would put them in the play-offs next year. They could also reach the play-offs in third due to winning their Nations League group.
Jono Bland is in the Wales under 21s squad for their game against Belarus in Georgia on Friday.
Bayley McCann, currently on loan to Alfreton, is with Northern Ireland under 21s for games against Latvia and Greece.
Aston Ellard, the Barnsley under 21s attacking midfielder, has been called up for Malta under 21s who visit Germany on Friday then host Latvia on Tuesday.
UNDER 18S TO HOST YOUTH CUP TIE AFTER 3-3 DRAW
BARNSLEY under 18s are due to host Mansfield Town on the main Oakwell pitch from 7pm on Monday in the FA Youth Cup second round.
The game was due to be played on Friday night but has been moved due to a weather warning.
Nicky Eaden’s young Reds drew 3-3 at Coventry City on Saturday.
They were 2-0 down but came back to lead 3-2 thanks to Chris Ogbu’s brace and a Jack Woodcock strike then the hosts levelled with a penalty.
