Scott Golbourne has been ruled out until the end of the season after damaging his knee.
The in-form left-back was injured late in the second half at MK Dons but carried on playing despite the injury.He had a scan on Monday and was told he had torn the ligament on his knee. He had an operation yesterday.
Manager David Flitcroft said: “My heart goes out to Scott. It’s an incredible loss. He’s been the outstanding performer all season. He improved game by game and will be a huge loss to the dressing room.
“I was floored because his form has been incredible. He’s adapted more than anyone to this league and was part of the programme to bring in League 1 and League 2 players.
“I want him next season to be a super-human and be an animal that people can’t contain down that left-hand side.”
Flitcroft might look to find a loan replacement for Golbourne but he did swoop yesterday to bring Manchester United Ryan Tunnicliffe midfielder to the club.
The 20-year-old England youth international spent most of last season on loan at Peterborough.
Flitcroft said: “I’ve been after him for three years. He’s a player that wants first team action and I don’t think he’s so far off Sir Alex Ferguson’s team.”
Tunnicliffe trained at Oakwell yesterday and tweeted: “Delighted to have joined Barnsley on loan for a month. Can’t wait to get playing as the belief amongst the managers/players is unreal.”
