A ‘refreshed’ Poya Asbaghi says Barnsley will have some players back from injury for their vital home clash with Cardiff City tomorrow, but new signing Amine Bassi might not be able to play as he waits for his visa to come through.
Bassi signed yesterday on deadline day but has to wait for visa approval which is not expected to last longer than a few days but could mean he can’t play in the midweek game.
The other new signing Domingos Quina has been playing in England with Watford so is available to play against Cardiff.
Asbaghi – who is back at Oakwell having missed the last two games due to Covid-19 – would not say which players could return from injury.
The players who have have been out injured include Victor Adeboyejo, Claudio Gomes, Callum Brittain, Clarke Oduor, Liam Kitching and Aapo Halme, while Cauley Woodrow is out until at least March following knee surgery.
Carlton Morris was isolating due to Covid at the same time as his head coach. The striker is being assessed before the Reds decide whether to include him tomorrow.
Asbaghi said: “He is back but let's see. He has been out with Covid and it is not optimal to come straight back, in case you get injured. We have had to force players back after Covid and they got injured. We don't want to take that risk with Carlton.”
Asbaghi missed the losses to Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth at the end of a month which saw the Reds ravaged by Covid cases and injuries while they fell to the bottom of the Championship, eight points from safety.
Asbaghi said: “I feel good. It was tough to be away from the team but I felt comfortable knowing that we have really good staff taking care of the group. But now I feel fresh and happy to be back.
“January has been really tough for us. We have had an average of ten to 12 players in training. We have suffered a lot but I am hoping the worst times are behind us. I hope I am the last Covid case we have and we have more back from injury.”
