NEILL Collins says Adam Phillips knows he has been ‘nowhere near the standards he set last year’ but the Barnsley boss has ‘no doubt’ the midfielder will find his best form again.
The 25-year-old was one of the Reds’ star players last season, with eight goals and nine assists in the league, but was sent off in the play-off final so missed the first three games of this season.
He is yet to score or assist so far and missed both games this week due to illness but is back in contention for Saturday’s trip to Exeter.
Collins told the Chronicle: “Adam would be quite honest and say he’s nowhere near the standards he set last year. Missing the first three games was part of that.
“He’s had some moments where he’s shown a little bit of his quality. But Adam has been honest with me and he knows he needs to get back to doing the things we expect from him in terms of goals, creating chances.
“I have no doubt he will.”
Kacper Lopata missed this week’s two games with a shoulder injury.
Luca Connell has missed the whole season so far with illness but is on the training ground daily and slowly building his fitness up.
Robbie Cundy has also not featured due to injury.
All are expected to be out for longer than the two-week break following tomorrow’s game.
On Lopata, Collins said: “It’s how long it takes the bone to heal.
“It could be a couple of months.
“Upper body injuries can be quicker. It depends on the individual.
“We will take it week by week.”
