Michael Duff praised his young Barnsley side after their 2-2 draw at Harrogate Town, while confirming Callum Brittain is close to joining Blackburn Rovers and that Herbie Kane will miss the start of the season.
The Reds, mainly comprised of under 23s and fringe players, came from behind to lead 2-1 at the League Two club who then levelled.
Duff told the Chronicle: “It was a good run-out. It’s a different type of football, getting exposed to long balls being hooked and hooked. We got done by that too many times in the first half and they did it in the second half too. But that’s good for the younger ones to learn. They ran hard, got a couple of good goals and a goal from a set play. It was beneficial.”
Barnsley’s starting strikers were Aiden Marsh, 19, and Fabio Jalo, 16. Marsh got the opener. Duff said: “They were excellent. Marshy was good and got his goal. Joe Mattock has played in the Premier League and he’ll remember Fabio because he kept putting him on his backside.”
Kane withdrew from the squad for Saturday’s friendly with Nottingham Forest after feeling a pain in his groin.
Duff said: “He has had a scan and we’re waiting for the results. It doesn’t look great. He won’t be fit for the start of the season.
“It’s frustrating for him and for everyone. I really liked him at Oxford last year. It’s disappointing. But if he’s injured, he’s injured, we just have to crack on and cope.”
Brittain is understood to be close to a move to Blackburn. Duff said: “They are in talks but I genuinely don’t know where it’s up to. I imagine there might be more news tomorrow.”
Jordan Williams, who can play Brittain’s position of right wing-back, returned to the side after injury and played the first half.
“Jordan is a good player. It’s the first time I’ve seen him live. He hasn’t done a lot of training. He’s different to the others at centre half. His pace is blistering. We like him, we just have to keep him fit. I see him playing either or wing-back or centre back.”
