Barnsley are prioritising central midfield cover over wingers with long-term target John O'Sullivan joining Rochdale instead of the Reds before the loan window closed at 5pm yesterday.

O'Sullivan, 22, pictured, impressed at Oakwell in an eight-match loan spell from Blackburn Rovers last season. He has now linked up with former Reds boss Keith Hill at Rochdale with Barnsley head coach Lee Johnson suggesting his squad does not need another wide man.

Johnson told the Chronicle: "We've always been big admirers of John and he's been an admirer of us as well. We tried to sign him various times this season on a permanent and a loan.

"But we have Adam Hammill, Marley Watkins, Ryan Williams and Lloyd Isgrove who are all wingers. John O'Sullivan has not played much first team football so we might not have put him in. We have to prioritise other areas."

Johnson admits he lacks back-up in central midfield with current starters Ben Pearson and Conor Hourihane supported only by untested Brad Abbott and Paul Digby as well as defender Alfie Mawson. Johnson said: "It could be a problem if Ben or Conor are out and we might need to strengthen if that does happen. If you bring a loan in, their club expects that loan to play but Ben and Conor have played really well in the last three or four games and don't deserve to be dropped. There are a couple out there who are out of contract that we might invite to train with us."

One central midfielder who will not be joining is Hugo Colace after the Argentinian ex-Red left the club following a trial. Johnson said: "Hugo came to me on Friday and asked for my opinion and I gave it. "I offered him the opportunity for him to stay as long as he wanted to prove that the bits of his game that we felt weren't quite there, are there. "But he said he had offers to trial at other clubs."