Promising goalkeeper Adam Davies is vowing to keep up the good work from last season to prove he was worthy of a new contract and the number one jersey.

Davies, 22, yesterday extended his deal at Oakwell by a further season and the club has an the option for another year until June 2018.

After signing from Sheffield Wednesday at the start of this campaign, Davies has proven himself and kept ten clean sheets from his 25 outings.

"If you'd have told me at the start of the season that I was going to play 25 times then I would have bit your hand off," admitted the German-born keeper to the Chronicle.

"I'm over the moon with the new deal but I've got to kick on and establish myself. Ross Turnbull (Barnsley's other first team goalkeeper who is recovering from an operation) is a top class goalkeeper and there is good competition between us.

"It's what you want because it makes you work harder."

Davies still believes there is no substitute for playing games when it comes to developing your talent. He feels he's improved immeasurably throughout the campaign.

"I was watching a few clips of myself the other day from the start of the season until the end and the difference is massive. The more games that you play the better you're going to get. The club is giving young players a chance and it is a case of if you are good enough, you're old enough."

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Davies was brought to the club on the advice of keeper coach Mark Crossley who had worked with him at Hillsborough. Although Davies has worked alongside coaches like ex-England stopper Chris Woods at Everton, former Red Andy Rhodes and current keepers like Tim Howard, Chris Kirkland and Stephen Bywater, he has grown close to Crossley who left yesterday for the same role at League One rivals Chesterfield.

Davies added: "Mark has been a really big influence and he believed that I could play in this league.  I can't thank him enough for what he's done for my career. Mark is a top bloke and I wish him all the best at Chesterfield. Still, it will be good to get the different views off a new coach."