BARNSLEY are very unlikely to bring in any new signings before the trip to Italy on Tuesday, the Chronicle understands.
Manager Danny Wilson said last week that he wanted 'at least one or two more in' before leaving the UK so that he could 'start formulating a sort of pattern and way we want to play.'
But senior sources have confirmed that there will probably not be any new faces by then apart from possibly Will Hoskins. The 28-year-old striker has been on trial with the Reds since last Thursday but is yet to fully prove his fitness – his last game was in February 2013 and he has since had two knee operations – and Barnsley want to see him play in the pre-season friendly against Halifax Town tomorrow.
Wilson said last week that he was confident of getting Hoskins fit and, if he did, would be keen to sign him. Chief executive Ben Mansford said: "Discussions are ongoing with Will and, if he proves his fitness, myself and Danny will have a discussion with him and his agent about signing him. We don't know yet whether he will be going to Italy."
Wilson claims that he is 'miles away' from his final squad but knows what kind of player he needs. He said: "We want a team with enthusiasm, hunger and youthfulness. We don't want a team of 33-year-olds who are coming in for their last pay day.
"We are changing the whole outlook of the club because we want this foundation to go on for years and years. It's a tough job but we are going to get it right. We are still going to need some old heads but we want to get as many youngsters in the team as we can. You need sustainability. You can't keep breaking it down and building another team. It doesn't work. You need solid blocks in place and hopefully, by the time the season starts, we will have a lot of them."
