Kenny Dougall admits the last four months have been ‘difficult’ but says he is ready to play a full part in Barnsley’s promotion push.
The 25-year-old Australian midfielder was one of the Reds’ stars at the beginning of the season following his arrival from Sparta Rotterdam, earning several international call-ups. But he was injured at Shrewsbury Town in late October and missed two months then, after returning, he has started only three of 14 games due to the form of Alex Mowatt and Cameron McGeehan.
Dougall said: “It has been difficult. “It’s something I have had to adjust to but maybe I will get a chance in the next few games and it’s time for me to perform. It was the first serious injury of my career so it’s been different mentally.
“I missed quite a bit of football but I am physically ready to play all the games. The staff did a really good job with my injury and it’s up to me now. It’s been tough not playing but every man knows their role in this squad and they know they need to be ready to play.”
Dougall started the 3-0 win at Southend United on Saturday, in which Jacob Brown was sent off at 0-0. He said: “It was very satisfying. It could have been a tough afternoon after going down to ten men but the boys pulled together really well. We controlled the second half and deserved to win 3-0 if not by more.”
With Barnsley currently in League One’s second automatic promotion place, Dougall is hoping to finish his first season in English football with promotion. He said: “The whole squad wanted to bounce back up and it was my intention as well as a new face. We are on track to do that and it’s going to be a big last two months of the season.
“The boys are feeling great and training has been really good. There are nine points to get this week and that’s the goal. I won the Dutch second division but we won it early so this season is different.”
