The 19-year-old centre-back is highly-rated at Oakwell, having been on the first team bench in the Checkatrade Trophy last season and the EFL Cup this season after going on the pre-season tours of France and Germany. Moon – who is from Coventry and spent eight years with Leicester City before joining the Reds aged 16 – broke his leg in a home match against Wigan Athletic for the under 23s in September. He told the Chronicle: “Their player landed on my leg and I knew I’d broken it. I held it up in the air and it felt wobbly. The physio came on and I said ‘I’ve broken it.’
"I had a bit of breakdown at the start of my rehab. I felt like I had been in such a good position then I was at rock bottom, I couldn’t walk or get my own food or shower properly. It broke me but, since that day, I knew things could only get better. I had been training with the first team but not getting gametime or being noticed then, after I broke my leg, Adam Murray became the caretaker manager and I’d worked with him before. I would have got more of an opportunity so that was frustrating but I used it to keep my positivity up through the injury.
"Being around the first team, you have a taste but you want more and more and more. “I started running in January and had another setback for a couple of weeks which was probably even more frustrating. But I am back now.”
Moon played 45 minutes for the under 23s against Leeds United and was due to play again the day football was suspended in March. He said: “I was training with the first team full-time and I was told the gaffer (Gerhard Struber) was impressed with me. Before my injury, I used to overthink things and try too hard but this time I was just playing the way I know which worked well for me.
"The injury gave me a lot of time in the gym, working with the sports science staff who were great. I got a lot bigger in my upper body and legs. I used to think people could outmuscle me but now they can’t and I am ready for men’s football.”
Barnsley have been low on centre-backs this season, with Mads Andersen being dropped earlier this year, Bambo Diaby suspended following an alleged failed drugs test and Aapo Halme often used in midfield. Moon – who played three games on loan to non-league York City last season – could potentially be one or two injuries or suspensions away from the first team matchday squad if the season resumes next month.
“I am hoping for a chance. I am yet to make my debut and that’s what I really want and what my whole family wants. It would be great to play a part in keeping the club up. Being at Barnsley has been the most enjoyable time of my life in football. I have gone from being a boy to a man and learned a lot about myself. I have never had coaches who had played football professionally and that is what you get here which has taken me to the next level and improved me a lot.”
