Tricky winger Paddy McCourt and midfielder Gary Dicker are training at Oakwell and boss David Flitcroft says verbal deals have been agreed to bring in two strikers on loan.

McCourt, formerly of Rochdale and Derry, is a free agent after being released by Celtic. The 29-year-old, who has 13 caps for Northern Ireland, has played just 89 games in five seasons but is described by Flitcroft as a 'magician'.

The Barnsley boss said: "Paddy's come down to see what we're all about. He wants to come and see us and then we'll assess where we are next week.

He's a magician on the ball, he's creative and a linker. He'll certainly give us a different edge."

McCourt had been training with Hibernian and has also been linked with a move to Peterborough and Birmingham.

Meanwhile, the Reds are also having a look at Gary Dicker, who has been without a club after being released by fellow Championship outfit Brighton.

Dicker, 27, made 154 appearances for Brighton and played 26 times last season. He had been linked with Millwall but spent yesterday training with Barnsley.

Flitcroft said: "Gary has played a lot of games in the Championship and has had a great education under Gus Poyet. He's been in to the club, as had Paddy. I don't like to call them trialists. They are coming to have a look at us and see if we're what they want. If they are happy then we can talk about doing some business.

"Gary has done his homework and we can go from there. He'll look at the project and see if it's something he wants to be a part of."

Meanwhile, Flitcroft said he has verbally agreed to bring in two players on loan from Premier League clubs.

He said: "I spoke to two Premiership managers this week and we have verbal agreements on two players."