Andreas Winkler revealed there is a mixed bag of news ahead of Barnsley’s clash with Luton Town on Saturday.
The Barnsley assistant is confident his side can deal with international call-ups and a mounting injury list when the Hatters visit Oakwell.
Moore injury news
Winkler is hopeful that Cauley Woodrow will be available for next weekend’s trip to face Charlton Athletic at the Valley.
But Barnsley are still awaiting definite news on the fitness of top-scorer Kieffer Moore.
Winkler refused to put a time-scale on the striker’s injury after he came off with an ankle ligament injury against Peterborough last week.
On Moore’s injury, Winkler said:
“We have excellent medical staff and they are doing everything for him. “I am not sure at this moment (on the extent of his injury).”
“Our physiotherapists, have worked for many days and hours trying to get him fit. That is all I can say.”
“We are very happy and have a good squad and can choose from the squad. There is not only Victor (Adeboyejo) and Jacob (Brown), there are some more strikers.”
“Cauley will come back – not for Saturday, but next week I think – and we will have some more options.”
Winkler branded fears that Moore could be out for a lengthy amount of time as “rumours” and is hopeful he will be available for the weekend.
Moore has been pivotal for Barnsley this season with 7 goals in 11 League One appearances.
The former Ipswich Town forward has an impressive record in League One for Barnsley and whilst on loan at Rotherham for the first half of last season.
In total, he’s scored 20 goals in just 30 appearances in the third tier. An impressive 1 goal every 1.5 games on average.
In other injury news, Zeki Fryers and Lloyd Isgrove are still a couple of weeks away from returning to training.
Daniel Pinillos will be assessed on his return to training today (Friday).
Bird or McGeehan?
Kenny Dougall and Adam Davies have been called up for Australia and Wales respectively.
Jack Walton is expected to take Davies’ place, after impressing in a handful of appearances in the League and Cup this season.
Dougall’s spot is still up for grabs, with Cameron McGeehan and Jared Bird likely to battle it out for a start in midfield.
Bird has made a solitary appearance for the Reds this season but impressed in their Checkatrade Trophy win over Oldham last month.
On Bird’s chances for a start, assistant head coach Andreas Winkler said:
“In pre-season he was very close to the line-up. So for Saturday I can say he is very close.”
“We know he is a match player, as he’s better in matches than he is in training. But he needs to understand that he needs to perform in training as well as he does in matches.”
“I would be happy for him if he’s in the line-up, if not, he has to work hard but he is very close.”
Cameron McGeehan is believed to be the front-runner to start tomorrow. The midfielder has made 7 League One appearances this term but they have mainly been as a substitute.
The former Luton Town man has admitted that he’s been frustrated by his start to the season.
He said:
“Obviously we don’t know the team yet, but hopefully If I can get my chance we can go from there.”
“Ken (Dougall) and Al (Mowatt) have been doing well in the middle, so there’s not much I can do. I’ve just got to keep working hard and see if my luck changes.”
