JOSH Earl and David McGoldrick could return to Barnsley’s squad for Boxing Day but left-backs Georgie Gent and Nathanael Ogbeta are now expected to be out until mid-January.

Ogbeta has not played since November 29 and Gent since the following week when he made his return from eight months out with an Achilles problem and picked up a more minor hamstring issue. Asked if either could return during the festive period up until the game at Port Vale on January 4, Hourihane said: “I don’t think they will be involved. The best case is they may be involved for Liverpool.

“We’ve had no luck with that spot.

“Tennai Watson has played out of position, Mael (de Gevigney) played there a little bit so it’s not ideal.

“We’re trying to plug gaps. With Josh Earl coming back, we’re hoping he can help us in that area being a left-footer and it gives us height as well.”

Defender Earl has missed the last six games through injury.

Hourihane said: “We’re hoping Josh Earl is OK.

“It’s been a really frustrating period and he just hasn’t quite been getting over it. But he’s been on the grass for a couple of days and, if he has some more good days, we’re hoping he should be involved against Mansfield.”

Striker David McGoldrick missed the game at Exeter on Saturday.

Hourihane said: “Didzy is back on the grass so we hope he is back.”