JOSH Benson is set to play for Barnsley under 21s next week as he gets closer to a first team return.
The midfielder has been out for more than three months since picking up an injury at Derby County on November 11.
Head coach Neill Collins told the Chronicle: “Josh’s been really good. He’s trained. The plan is to get him minutes for the 21s next week.
“He’s obviously missed a lot of football. We have a challenge of how we can do our best to keep him available and fit. He was fit for about six weeks or maybe longer then picked up his injury against Derby.
“We’re hoping we can get him back and having him available for the last 12 or 13 games, by the time he is fit, would be a nice addition.”
Fabio Jalo, the teenage striker, injured his knee playing for the under 21s in January.
Collins said: “Fabio is progressing. He’s doing unrelated things to football right now – physical work to get him back ready.
“He’s still got a role to play this season. How big that is will depend on getting him back up to speed fitness-wise.”
Both defender Robbie Cundy and midfielder Matty Wolfe are long-term absences for the Reds.
