Barnsley goalkeeper Jack Walton is looking forward to taking on his former club Bolton Wanderers tonight in the EFL Cup.
The 23-year-old grew up in Bolton and was in the Trotters’ academy before moving to Oakwell aged 15.
Walton told the Chronicle: "I am a local lad from Bolton so it will be good to go home. A few of my mates will be going to the game.
"I went from playing Sunday League football to joining Bolton and playing Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea. It was a good learning curve."It wasn't that hard to leave because I knew moving to Barnsley was the right option.”
Should he start tonight as expected, Walton will play in front of fans for the first time since March 2019.
"I think the last time I played in front of fans was at Walsall about two and a half years ago. It will be strange but that's what we want to do as players. As goalkeepers, we're quite close to the fans so you get abuse but it's all fun and games so you thrive on it.”
Walton is looking forward to seeing the Barnsley away end, with more than 1,000 tickets sold after a similar number travelled to Cardiff City on Saturday to watch a 1-1 draw.
"It was a great following after a very long trip. They made so much noise and got behind the lads. I have heard they have sold a few for Bolton so I am looking forward to it.”
Walton added: "We want to win the game and start a cup run. We had two big cup games against Chelsea last season which was great. We want to win and have a cup run."
