A round-up of some news at Barnsley FC this week.
IPSWICH GAME COULD BE MOVED DUE TO CALL-UPS
BARNSLEY’S home game against Ipswich Town on March 25 could be called off due to international call-ups for the Tractor Boys.
Ipswich duo Wes Burns and Nathan Broadhead have been called up by Wales while Greg Leigh and ex-Red Sam Morsy might be selected by Jamaica and Egypt respectively.
If clubs have three or more players called up, they can cancel their fixtures.
Barnsley could have Luca Connell selected for Republic of Ireland under 21s and potentially Jon Russell for Jamaica.
Should the game be postponed, it is likely to be moved to midweek in one of the last two weeks of the season.
KITCHING WATCHES SIMPSON SPAR BROTHER
BARNSLEY boxer Callum Simpson has been sparring with Guy Kitching, the brother of Reds defender Liam, in preparation for his big fight next week.
The 26-year-old super-middleweight from Barnsley town centre is due to make his Sky Sports debut against Celso Neves at Manchester Arena on March 25 after signing a deal with the broadcaster and promoter BOXXER on the back of ten wins from ten professional fights and the Central Area title.
He sparred fellow professional Guy at their gym last Friday, with Liam in attendance before starring in Barnsley’s 3-0 win over Plymouth Argyle the next day.
Simpson said: “I know them both quite well. Guy is a good boxer with one punch knock-out power.
“I went to watch him in the Yorkshire amateur finals. Liam and Brad Collins were there so I met them and that’s how I got to know some of the Barnsley players.
“Hopefully they can come to my fight but it depends on timings.”
DEADLINE FOR TEN YELLOW CARDS APPROACHES
THE DEADLINE for a two-match ban for collecting ten yellow cards is approaching.
Any player who is booked ten times up to and including the 37th match of the season will be banned for two games.
Barnsley have played 34 games and their 37th is currently due to be Ipswich at home on March 25.
Herbie Kane and James Norwood are on eight yellow cards with Luca Connell collecting his seventh on Saturday against Plymouth. All three are regular starters and key players for the Reds, who visit Wycombe on Saturday then host local rivals Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday.
U18S 20 POINTS CLEAR AT TOP
BARNSLEY under 18s went 20 points clear at the top of their league after winning 1-0 at Wigan Athletic on Tuesday.
Jonathan Bland scored for the young Reds who have won ten and drawn two of their 12 games in 2023.
They are now due to visit Reading on Saturday then host Crewe on Tuesday from 1pm on the Oakwell training pitches.
CUNDY RETURNS IN U21S WIN
BARNSLEY under 21s won 3-0 at home to Burnley on Tuesday.
Aiden Marsh netted in the fourth minute, from a fine assist by Fabio Jalo, then Jordan Helliwell and Luke Thomas struck after the break.
Centre-back Robbie Cundy, on the comeback trail from injury, played the first 45 minutes.
Jon Russell also played and won the ball for the opener.
GOALS FOR LOANEES ISEKA AND ACKROYD
AARON Leya Iseka netted the winner on his debut for new club Tuzlaspor in their 1-0 win over Boluspor in the Turkish second tier.
The Barnsley loanee has moved clubs after Adanaspor withdrew from the league following last month’s devastating earthquake.
Iseka scored a penalty in the 20th minute.
Meanwhile, Joe Ackroyd netted in Buxton’s 3-1 National League North win at Banbury United.