JACK Walton says his focus is on remaining at Barnsley and fighting for a return to the first team line-up rather than moving away for regular football in the final days of the summer transfer window.
The 24-year-old goalkeeper – who has been at Oakwell for nine years – has been back-up to close friend Brad Collins since January last year, after being in the opposite roles before then.
Walton has been playing only in cup games and when Collins is injured, so there had been speculation over whether he would leave to play more often.
He told the Chronicle: “My focus is here, to fight, and, every time I get my opportunity, to do what I do well.
“It’s always been a good battle between me and Brad, no matter who is playing. In a good goalkeeping group, one pushes the other.
“Every footballer wants to play football. I want to play every Saturday and Tuesday, but sometimes you are on the bench. Then your job changes and becomes about pushing Brad while doing what you can to get in the team.”
Michael Duff is the eighth head coach Walton has worked under.
“I really like him. He’s a winner. He sets high standards and he’s pushing the lads to create a really good winning culture. It won’t happen overnight but everyone has bought into it and we’re going in the right path.”
Walton played in Wednesday’s EFL Cup loss at Leeds United.
