KACPER Lopata is delighted to be back following a two-month injury lay-off and says Barnsley ‘haven’t got going’ yet this season.
The Polish-born centre-back, 22, was one of the Reds’ better players in the first two months of the season, starting the first nine league games after signing from non-league Woking in the summer.
But he broke his collarbone in September at Northampton Town and was out until last week when he came off the bench at Lincoln City who then scored a late equaliser.
Lopata returned to the starting line-up on Tuesday in the EFL Trophy loss at Blackpool.
He told the Chronicle: “I have worked really hard since the day I broke my collarbone. I have been sleeping right and eating right and working on recovery to get back.
“Hopefully now I can kick on.
“It was hard but it’s part of football.
“I was out of the team, had to build my fitness back up, then I got back in the squad.
“Then I came off the bench at Lincoln and partly cost the team some points.
“But it’s not what happens to you, it’s how you react and my reaction has been spot on.”
Lopata will now battle with the likes of Mael de Gevigney and Jordan Williams for a place in the league 11.
“You never want to have a guaranteed spot because you won’t have the fight, hunger and desire.
“We’re all competing for the shirt.”
The Reds are currently seventh in League One approaching the halfway point in the season, two points outside the play-off places.
Lopata said: “It’s a busy Christmas period with a lot of games and chances for people.
“We really need to start kicking on. We have big goals for this season.
“I don’t think we’ve got going yet but, if we do this month, it could be massive for us.
“We can see games out better and be better in both boxes.”
