CONOR Hourihane has praised his backroom staff at Barnsley for, so far, managing the squad through a hectic period of games with very few injuries.

The Reds have Josh Earl out with a broken foot while Tawanda Chirewa is struggling with an ankle problem but Hourihane said this week that the rest of the squad was fit ahead of a spell of seven games in three weeks.

The head coach told the Chronicle: “It’s testament to everyone. It’s not the biggest of squads but, from a head coach’s point of view, availability of players has been pretty consistently good and fingers crossed that stays the same. It’s not by fluke, it’s through clear communication and alignment. It’s a team effort. Credit to the medical staff, physios, sports scientists, they have been first class.”

Chirewa has missed the last four matches and has been back at parent club Wolves.

“Tawanda has had a little bit a of setback. He’s currently back with his parent club doing a little bit of rehab. We were expecting him back today (Thursday) but now it’s going to be pushed back.”

Left-back Nathanael Ogbeta has not played in the last three games, not being on the bench in the last two with George Gent starting. He has started only two of the last 18 league games.

Hourihane said: “His fitness is OK. I have used Georgie in the last couple of games. He’s just got the nod over him (Ogbeta) in terms of getting starts. There’s not much between a lot of individuals in the squad, it’s who can be consistent and grab shirts. It’s up to Nate and other people not in the squad or team to train hard, put their hands up – and this week in particular because we’ve had a free week – to remind me not to forget about them.”