Callum Brittain met one of his predecessors as Barnsley’s right-back, Barry Murphy, on his first day at the club and, although he admits he is unlikely to beat the 569 appearance record, the October signing is delighted with his start.

Brittain, 22, was introduced to Murphy, who was a right-back for the Reds for almost two decades – playing more than anyone else – and is now club ambassador, on the first day that he joined the club from MK Dons.

He told the Chronicle: “It was really good to meet him.

“He gave me some kind words and said he would watch out for me and see if I could do as well as he did in that position. He’s a nice man.

“It’s very impressive how many games he played so it might take me a while to catch him up. Meeting him on my first day gave me a sense of the club and what kind of people that are around it.”

Brittain has relished the improvement in standard in the Championship after previously playing in League One and League Two.

“I have really enjoyed it even though it’s a big step up. The players are much more physically strong and the speed of the game is a lot quicker. Going into the last ten minutes in lower leagues, people start to slow down and so does the game but, in the Championship, it starts to speed up and we scored twice in the last five minutes on Saturday.”

Brittain was signed when Adam Murray was caretaker but, after his first two games, has been working under new boss Valerien Ismael.

“I have really enjoyed working with him. He knows what he wants from the players and the team. He is very assured with those points. He’s taken to us and we’ve taken to him.”

Brittain has impressed with his performances at right wing-back.

He said: “I couldn’t have asked for a better start and I am really enjoying it. The boys have been a massive part of me playing well and the team doing well.

“Every man on the pitch has put a massive effort in.

“They have really helped me slot into the team and environment. It’s a position I am used to and I played it at MK Dons. You have defensive work but you can go forward as well.”

Barnsley play eight games in December.

Brittain, who missed the defeat in Cardiff earlier this month due to a hamstring problem, said: “You just have to do all the one per cent things like sleep well, eat right and recover well with ice baths.

“The gaffer is very keen on that and drills it into us.”