Lee Johnson admits Conor Hourihane's recent form may have interested other clubs but that it would take a 'very big price' to buy him.

The 24-year-old Irish midfielder has netted in each of his last four League One matches and has seven goals for the season as well as nine assists for the relegation-threatened Reds. He also recorded 14 goals and 20 assists last season and is now halfway through a three-year deal which expires in the summer of 2017.

Head coach Johnson has backed Hourihane for a Republic of Ireland call-up and praised him for adapting to playing in a central two of a 4-4-2 which he believes is key to his chances of reaching the Championship or above.

"There might be clubs sniffing around Conor," Johnson told the Chronicle. "He has adapted really well to playing in a two. It's taken a fair bit of work to get there but we feel that he can do it now. That might awaken a few sleeping giants to the fact that Conor Hourihane is adaptable and can play in a two and a three comfortably and still score and still assist. I hope they stay asleep because he's a massive player for us."

Johnson insists that Barnsley's placing at 21st in League One does not mean it will be easier for other clubs to tempt players away.  He said: "I think people in football understand what we have gone through and that we are rebuilding around some young, talented players. It would take a very big price to take any of those players out of here. Sometimes you can't stop that but, with certain players, we will be looking to extend their contracts rather than lose them.

"Obviously we need to get up to at least mid-table before we start talking about that because we need to know for sure that we will be in this division next season, which we fully believe we will be. "We will be looking to add players and keep our best players."

As well as keeping Hourihane, Johnson is hoping to add new signings in the January transfer window. He is prioritising players who are available for the Johnstone's Paint Trophy semi-finals legs against Fleetwood Town.

"We are looking at JPT eligibility so that might limit the market for us.  If we have two similar players, one who is JPT eligible and one who isn't, then we will choose the one who is.  It is a massive competition for us and we want to get to Wembley.

"There are certain areas that we need to recruit in but other areas where we can probably carry on as we are. We are getting there. We are having daily discussions and things change all the time."

While Johnson is confident of extending the loan of Kevin Long – which is due to expire after tomorrow's home match with Wigan – the future of the other loanees and short-term contract players is less clear. There is a board meeting on Monday during which Johnson will make his recommendations on several players including first choice right-back Reece Wabara, who is currently scheduled to stay at Oakwell until New Year's Eve.

Early January will see the end of the loan deals for Ben Pearson, Aidy White, Lloyd Isgrove, Ivan Toney, Conor Wilkinson and Michael Smith. Johnson said: "We're in discussions with our loan players and their parent clubs but nothing is set in stone. "We want to keep as many as we can."