VIMAL Yoganathan is enjoying playing in a Barnsley midfield three that could still easily qualify for the under 21s side.

Yoganathan is 20 like his fellow Oakwell academy product Jono Bland while Patrick Kelly is 21.

They have played in the middle of the pitch for the Reds in their win at Rotherham on Saturday then draw at Port Vale in midweek.

Yoganathan told the Chronicle: “You might look at us as young lads and think we’re naive. People might ask: are they going to do the basics well?

“But on Tuesday I thought we landed on second balls a lot and didn’t shy away from the fight. It helped us get a foothold in the game.”

Yoganathan has started 19 league games for Barnsley this season, coming on in 14 others. After being in and out of the 11 for much of the campaign, he has started eight of the last nine matches. He said: “Certain circumstances have allowed me to be in the starting team. I have just been trying to cement it and I will keep focusing on that.

“I just want to get as many game as I can, chip in with a couple of goals and assists. I had a couple of chances on Tuesday and could have done better.

“I need to tidy up the end product of my game a bit.”

It has been an improved week for the Reds as they ended a six-game winless run with four points at teams in the bottom three.

“We focused on winning the next game then the next one. We knew Rotherham was must-win and I thought we approached it well and had character when it was tough. We have enough quality at the top end of the pitch, it’s just trying to iron out silly mistakes. Some of the goals we’ve conceded have not been good enough.”

Yoganathan is now looking forward to the home game with Bradford on Saturday who are expected to be backed by a large away following.

“I always enjoy playing in front of big crowds. Bradford will bring a lot.

“It’s going to be a tense atmosphere in a Yorkshire derby.

“I am looking forward to it.”