Adam Phillips and Josh Earl are both set to miss Barnsley’s home game with Blackpool on Saturday as the injury crisis goes on.
Both midfielder Phillips and defender Earl – who are almost ever-presents in the starting 11 when fit – came off in Tuesday’s loss at Charlton Athletic with strains. That meant the number of first team players out with either injury or suspension was in double figures.
Head coach Darrell Clarke said: “They are still getting assessed. Until we get scan results I don’t know how long it will be. But they are very very doubtful for the weekend.
“It’s a real frustrating period. I don’t think we have the strength in depth to miss key players.
“We can’t use it as an excuse. We have to have a siege mentality.
“We have a lot of problems but have to have a plan to win next game.”
If Phillips cannot play, he could be replaced in midfield by either Kelechi Nwakali or Josh Benson who has not started a league game in almost two years since the 4-4 draw at MK Dons in April 2023. If Earl is out, 20-year-old Connor Barratt – who impressed off the bench in midweek – could make his first professional start unless they change to a back four. The former Birmingham City and Sheffield United youngster joined the Reds last summer and made his first league appearances this week.
Georgie Gent is out for the season with a ruptured Achilles which happened against Lincoln at the weekend.
Gent was Barnsley’s only left wing-back for the first half of the season but had been a back-up player in recent months, only starting on Saturday due to an injury to Neil Farrugia who returned in midweek.
Mael de Gevigney is due to complete his three-game ban against Blackpool on Saturday. Joe Gauci, Jonathan Lewis, Donovan Pines, Fabio Jalo and Barry Cotter are all injured. Clarke said there was ’no good news’ on the longer-term injuries.
Midfielder Jonathan Bland and left wing-back Bayley McCann have been recalled from their loans at Peterborough Sports to provide cover. Clarke said he expected both of them to make their league debut this season.
