CONOR Hourihane says Barnsley are ‘very, very fortunate’ to have the crop of emerging young talents he has brought into the first team while he expects that the club will go into the January transfer window without a replacement for Mladen Sormaz as sporting director.

The Reds are tenth in League One, with 25 points from 15 games – three off the top six with at least two games in hand on most teams.

They drew 1-1 at Stockport County on Saturday, conceding a late equaliser to deny them a third straight league win.

They were then beaten 5-0 at Port Vale in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday.

Now they are due to play at Peterborough United on Saturday in the FA Cup second round then Lincoln City in the league on Tuesday.

The Reds have been without a sporting director since Sormaz’s surprise exit in September.

Head coach Hourihane and chief executive Jon Flatman, along with the recruitment department and owners, are currently overseeing plans for the window which opens in less than a month.

Asked if he expected a replacement for Sormaz to come in before the window, Hourihane told the Chronicle: “No, it’s all fine as it is.

“Between myself, Jon, the owners and the input of coaches and data, it is all very much there.

“There have been a couple of meetings in the last couple of weeks.

“It’s always a work in progress. Hopefully we get through the Christmas period in a good place and add a couple to the group as any club will be looking to do come January.”

As well as hoping to return to the Championship, one of Barnsley’s goals is to develop star players for the future.

Academy graduates such as Vimal Yoganathan and Jono Bland have been regular starters under Hourihane while free summer transfers Patrick Kelly and Reyes Clearly have also impressed.

All of them, as well as Portugal youth international Fabio Jalo who is close to returning from injury, are contracted until at least 2028 including options.

Hourihane said told the Chronicle: “We’re very, very fortunate with the crop we’ve got. They know there is a platform for them to play.

“The first game I played them all was at Doncaster. Over the last three or four games, they have done very well.

“It was a reminder on Tuesday night that if you’re off it, you can get found wanting – not just for them but the older players as well.

“Hopefully Fabio can come into that equation very, very quickly as a one-v-one specialist who gets people off their seats.

“They are all growing in their careers and it’s very refreshing because they all want to improve and they are great lads.

“Hopefully we can add to that group moving forward.

“I think Barnsley is the best place for them at the time being. They don’t want to jump ship too early. There is a platform for them to keep developing.

“They know what I want out of them, they know they will play if they keep playing well but, if they don’t, they know they will be out of the team.

“They bring an energy and intensity I really like.

“If interest comes, that means they have taken their opportunity, they are developing well and I’ve done my job.

“This club, like every club, wants assets that are very valuable to other clubs.

“They just need to keep working hard every day and that’s what I push them to do.”

Striker David McGoldrick, who turned 38 on Saturday, has not scored in 11 league games since netting twice in August but did get a hat-trick in the EFL Trophy against Manchester United under 21s in October.

He has been often played in midfield roles and came off the bench in the last two league fixtures.

Hourihane said: “If he’s selected, he always is the focal point for the team and gives so much to the lads on and off the pitch.

“He will want to score more goals, that’s what he’s done all his career.

“He will want to put that right the next time he plays.

“There is no problem with Didzy.

“The amount he gives the team without scoring is something he does in abundance. Everyone is really pleased with him.”

After the two cup matches this week, which complete four straight games on the road, the Reds are due to host Leyton Orient on December 13.

Their Christmas games see them visit Exeter City on December 20 before home matches with Mansfield Town on Boxing Day then Lincoln three days later.