KIEREN Flavell is delighted to be Barnsley’s starting goalkeeper for the final two games of the season and says he will relish a potential battle for the number one shirt with Jackson Smith next season.

The 22-year-old from Pontefract, who has come through the Oakwell youth system, had been on the bench all league season while loan stoppers Murphy Cooper then Owen Goodman played, other than one match last month when Goodman was ill.

But he played on Tuesday in a 1-0 win at Northampton and is set to keep his place for the final game of the season against Stockport on Saturday.

Flavell told the Chronicle: “It got made pretty clear to me a week or so ago from Conor (Hourihane) passing down the message to Scott (Flinders, goalkeeper coach) who said to just look towards these games. Obviously if you get on prior to that for whatever reason take care of that but this is the bulk of games that you’re going to get, make sure you train properly and prepare for it properly which I think I have obviously done.”

Flavell has a long-term contract with the Reds as does Smith who has impressed on loan to League Two promotion-challengers Grimsby.

“Jacko has gone to Grimsby and he’s thrived in such a different environment for him. He’s done absolutely brilliant.

“But I’ve got to also fancy myself and try and make a stamp on whichever manager comes in and try and get in their eyeline. Obviously there’s only one spot in goalkeeping as everyone knows.

“Any competition is a healthy competition.”

Flavell did not have much to do on Tuesday but pushed away a header from former Reds team-mate Conor McCarthy which looked set to hit the post.

“Conor McCarthy showed quite a bit of displeasure with me and told me in no uncertain terms that he wasn’t really happy about it because he thought it was going in. I had no idea if it was going in or not to be fair.

“I couldn’t really see it to be honest but when I saw it next to me I thought ‘I can’t really take any risks and I’m just going to tip it round the post.’”

The save was right in front of the 260 away fans.

“The fans always travel well.

“Saturday, Tuesday nights, whenever we play, they will always get behind us.

“It was nice to do it in front of them even though I’m not playing much but to play in front of the Barnsley fans any time is always a great experience.”

Flavell is now looking forward to playing at Oakwell in a league game for the first time this season.

“I am really excited, obviously it’s the last game and I think Stockport will bring a good following as well so it always helps when the away fans bring a few and get the atmosphere going. Hopefully we can get three points.”

Barnsley will finish in mid-table for a second successive season with head coach Hourihane to be replaced in the coming weeks.

Flavell said: “It’s very disappointing and obviously this season we’ve looked to try and improve on what was a strange season last season but it’s not quite happened for us for whatever reason. I think we’ve been quite unlucky in some games.

“The gaffer is leaving so hopefully next season, whoever comes in, we can just try to put it right and get Barnsley to where they belong.”

Flavell joined fellow academy graduates Jono Bland and Leo Farrell on the pitch on Tuesday with Vimal Yoganathan suspended.

“I’ve played games with Blandy last season and Fabio (Jalo). Barnsley has always based itself on the academy and who we can bring through.

“Obviously there’s been so many successful players come out of the academy.

“So playing with these lads it, just makes it so much easier. Having the mix of youth and experience in the team with the older lads.

“It’s always good to play with lads that you’ve grown up with.”