BARNSLEY’S number nine Sam Cosgrove admits his first few months at Oakwell have been ‘frustrating’ but is keen to kick on and earn his place in the starting eleven.

Cosgrove signed for the Reds on transfer deadline day on September 1 - but has yet to cement his place in the first team and hasn’t scored his first goal for the club.

He told the Chronicle: “Everything behind the scenes has been brilliant.

“It’s a great changing room and a real community.

“From that side of it it couldn’t have been any better.

“On the pitch it’s been frustrating.”

Cosgrove is hoping to kick on in the near future - starting with his first Barnsley goal.

“I’d like to think I’ve shown glimpses of what I can bring to the side but there’s still a lot more to come from me,” he added.

“It’s been a bit stop-start because of injuries but hopefully I can get that run of games going and be a part of the side going forward.

“As a striker you’re judged on goals.

“To get that first goal would be nice but if I can contribute to the side in other ways and contribute to wins then that’d be good.”

The 26-year-old is hoping to have a good run in the FA Cup after ??? - and his first memory of playing in the cup was against near-neighbours Sheffield Wednesday.

“The FA Cup was a bit disappointing for me last year at Plymouth because we got knocked out against Grimsby.

“I think my first taste of the FA Cup was when I was at Carlisle many years ago.

“We played Sheffield Wednesday at Brunton Park - that was a real big bite for me.

“You see the magic of the FA Cup - everyone loves it.”