ISAAC Christie-Davies is still with the Barnsley under 23s despite the first team’s low numbers in midfield.

Christie-Davies is the oldest central midfielder at the club after turning 24 this week, but is yet to play in the English leagues or make his Reds debut having signed a three-year deal with the club in the summer of 2020.

Head coach Markus Schopp has been without midfielders such as Josh Benson and Callum Styles recently but is happy for the former Liverpool and Chelsea youngster to train and play for the under 23s. Schopp told the Chronicle: “He is still with the under 23s.

“We had a friendly last week between us and took a look at him again. Young players, like Isaac, have to develop a bit more.

“We have to find solutions and we already have an under 23s player with Will (Hondermarck) who is with us.

“We had a lot of conversations with Isaac. He had the chance to present himself but, at a certain point, we decided to bring Will in from the under 23s. Isaac is part of the under 23s but I am not stupid.

“I watch all the under 23s home games and, if I feel he is what we need, I will bring him back into first team training.”

Herbie Kane, another central midfielder, was loaned to League One Oxford United in August. Schopp said: “I don’t want to talk about players who are not here. We knew we had players who had potential but had to improve.”