Barnsley manager Danny Wilson admits his side are in a League One relegation battle but says wins in their two home games this week could re-ignite their hopes of finishing in the top six.

The 19th-placed Reds – who have lost six of their last nine league games – are two points above the the bottom four. They could plunge into the drop zone if they are beaten at home to Port Vale tomorrow and sides below them pick up points.Barnsley then play their game in hand on the sides around them on Tuesday evening as they welcome Oldham Athletic.

"We are in a relegation scrap at the moment but hopefully we'll be up the table soon," said Wilson.

"If we can win back-to-back games, which is highly probable in our case, then it will be a totally different way of looking at the league. After a couple of wins, we could be contenders for the top six. If we do that, the young lads' confidence will grow. I am hoping these two home games will be the ideal chance to get those wins."

Barnsley have a terrible recent record against Port Vale with their last win coming in 2002. Since then, the Reds have lost six and drawn three of their meetings with the Staffordshire club, conceding 17 goals and scoring just six. Their most recent defeat came in September after Vale had sacked manager Micky Adams following a run of six straight losses.

Caretaker Rob Page engineered a 2-1 win over the Reds and has now taken the club from second bottom to within two points of the play-off places and earned the job full-time. They have won four and lost four of their last eight matches, the most recent being a disappointing 1-0 defeat at home to lowly local rivals Crewe on Saturday.

Wilson said: "We need some big performances and I am confident we will get some. It's a big game.  Port Vale are in a great position and they've got a great chance of getting in the top six. But I believe we can beat them."

Wilson is hoping to have defenders Martin Cranie and Peter Ramage back from injury but nine-goal striker Sam Winnall is unlikely to feature this week. Mason Holgate is still suspended and will miss both Port Vale and Oldham as he completes a three-match suspension.

Oldham, who recently brought in former Red Jacob Mellis on loan from Blackpool, have won just one of their last seven matches. The game was due to be played last month but was postponed to due a frozen pitch. They are at home to Notts County tomorrow before going to Oakwell.