HEAD coach Conor Hourihane says his side are ready for a ‘relentless’ few months following a stop-start season due to international breaks – and he’s adamant his team are ready for a top six push.

The Reds are currently 13th in the League One table, having won six, lost four and drawn three of their first 13 games of the campaign.

Hourihane said it’s been hard for his side to gain momentum in the league due to international breaks as well as cup games.

Barnsley have between one and three games in hand on almost every side in the division.

They are currently five points off the play-off places and seven points behind league leaders Stockport.

He believes Barnsley have what it takes to be fighting towards the top end of the table come the end of the season.

He said: “I think we struggled a little bit in terms of league fixtures over the last few months and the last couple of international breaks.

“We’ve not really had huge momentum in the league.

“I think we need to become a little bit more consistent.

“I think we play some really good stuff at times.

“I think we showed that earlier on in the season and I think we showed that in spells against certain teams.

“We’ve worked tirelessly on all elements of our games, whether that’s set plays, whether that’s defensively, whether that’s attacking wise.

“We’re relentless in trying to improve all the time, but I think now the lads need to gain that belief and courage and know that they can mix it with anyone in the league.”

On-loan attacking midfielder Caylan Vickers started 15 of the first 16 games in all competitions this season, only missing the EFL Cup tie against parent club Brighton.

But his impressive early season form dipped and, having been dropped to the bench for the loss to Rotherham in late October, he was an unused substitute for the FA Cup win over York City and the league game at Doncaster Rovers.

Hourihane told the Chronicle that squad depth will be important over the coming months – and players like Vickers will have their chance to shine in the team.

He said: “I think there’s been a stop-start in terms of the league over the last couple of months.

“But now for the next six weeks, it’s going to be pretty full on and we’re going to need everyone in the building.

“Whether if you play a big part or a small part, there’s going to be loads of games that everyone’s going to be involved in.

“It’s about finding that momentum and that togetherness now and that squad depth that’s going to be really important over the next six weeks and see where we get to heading into the new year.

“Any time now that people get on the pitch, they’re going to have to make the most of the opportunity.

“With the squad that we have, there’s going to be people really testing the starters, which is always healthy.

“It’s up to the starters then to keep their shirts.”

Barnsley were without regular starters Adam Phillips, Josh Earl and Mael de Gevigney heading into the international break – all three are back in contention for tomorrow’s game against Luton.

Georgie Gent played 90 minutes for Barnsley under 21s this week while Fabio Jalo has been training and is expected to be back fit in two-to-three weeks.

Hourihane said: “Right now we’re in a really fortunate position.

“Georgie Gent’s playing games for the 21s, Fabio has been back with the group for a week.

“I think Fabio is two, three weeks away from being potentially involved in a match day squad.

“But he’s looking good and it’s a really positive body to have on the grass.”