Michael Sollbauer says Barnsley’s position ‘couldn’t be better’ considering the journey they have been on from last season’s survival to the current promotion charge.

The 30-year-old Austrian defender arrived in January last year when the Reds were in the relegation zone and helped them stay in the Championship on the final day. Now they are sixth, six points clear in the play-off places with three matches remaining starting with tomorrow’s derby against third-bottom Rotherham United at Oakwell.

Sollbauer said: “Our position couldn’t really be better. We have a big chance on Saturday but we won’t put too much pressure on it. We just want to perform well and take another three points.

“I can’t believe where we have come from. I will think about it when we have more time but, at the moment, we focus on the games.

“We have a great chance to be in the play-offs then anything is possible.

“Since I moved over, I didn’t have the thought to get this chance so quickly but we are in a good situation.

“We want to do something special and we are on a good way.”

Sollbauer has been sharing the right centre-back role with Toby Sibbick since January and did not play in three games after a mistake in the Good Friday draw against Reading.

But he returned for Wednesday’s win at Huddersfield Town and earned praise for his performance including from head coach Valerien Ismael who said he was man of the match.

Sollbauer said: “I was happy because I was not used for three games but I had my chance and I wanted to show I am still here. It was good to help the team and it helped my confidence for the next games. I showed that I am ready hopefully for the play-offs.

“I have to say Toby played very good games and we are a team which is the most important thing.

“I want to play every game but the manager chooses the team and it’s not about individuals.”

The winning goal was an overhead kick by Daryl Dike who has scored nine times since arriving from Orlando City in January.

Sollbauer said: “He is a very important lad. He made a huge impact from the first day. He is only 20 years old but he is very important. He showed his impact off the bench with a great goal.”