Barnsley are hoping to avoid a final day scramble to finish in the play-offs by securing a place in the top six with games to spare.
The Reds dropped out of the play-off places following their 2-0 home loss to Southend United on Saturday and are now three points away from the top six – and ten off the top two – in eighth. Caretaker coach Paul Heckingbottom has picked up 16 points from eight games since taking over after Lee Johnson's move to Bristol City.
He said: "If things keep going as they are, there will be five or six teams in it on the last weekend of the season. Our aim is to be above and beyond that if we can keep this run going, but we are prepared to fight until the last day if that's what it takes.
"A few months ago we would have been delighted with chasing sixth until the end of the season but, because of the form we have been in, we know we are in the thick of it. There are that many teams involved it will be constantly chopping and changing. Your only guarantee of moving up is to keep winning."
Heckingbottom says it is difficult to tell how many points will be needed to secure a place in the top six. He told the Chronicle: "I have a target in my mind which I think would get us there but I think it could be foolish to stick to that too much. We just need to keep winning and see where we end up."
Heckingbottom has still not been confirmed as manager until the end of the season and was reluctant to talk about his long-term future. He said: "We haven't been talking about my contract. I am prepared to just carry on as we are and review it in the summer."
