When you count Peter Crouch and Duncan Ferguson as your mentors, you are setting the bar quite high.

Fortunately, new Barnsley loan signing George Waring, 20, is big enough to deal with it. The Stoke City loanee, who signed for a month-long stint yesterday, stands at six foot five and has worked with Ferguson at Everton and subsequently with Potters frontman Crouch.

Waring said: "I've taken parts of my game from Crouchy at Stoke. I've obviously got to use my height and I throw my weight around a bit. "Duncan Ferguson was my coach at Everton so I got some tips off him as well.

"Duncan taught me a lot so I want to use some of his aggression. Crouch is a top professional so I've watched his movements off the ball and the way he brings players into play and gets in the box. He also scores his fair share of goals so I want to do some of that. "If I become half the player they both were then I'll be all right."

Barnsley's need for someone to hold the ball up has been evident throughout the season. Manager Danny Wilson believes Waring is in the right mould. Wilson said: "He's a targetman and a very big lad. He's a focal point which is something we haven't got.  We hope he can retain the ball at the top end of the pitch for longer periods than we have been doing in recent games. George can get hold of the ball and link play as well. If things work out for both parties then there is scope to keep him for longer as there is with all of the loans."

Waring added: "I was looking to get out on loan but, as soon as Barnsley seemed concrete, it was an easy decision to make. "It's a big club and a team that should be in the Championship."