Paul Heckingbottom believes Ryan Hedges has put his name forward for a start after scoring twice off the bench this week.
The winger, 22, netted his first two strikes for Barnsley – both in injury time – after being brought off the bench against Bristol City and Morecambe.
Heckingbottom is pleased he is over his facial injury from pre-season which had restricted the former Swansea City man.
He said: "It was a good goal (against Morecambe).
"You can't ignore the goals.
"He came back injured in pre-season so he could not really head the ball or make challenges for the first few weeks.
"It is difficult when you are demanding that from your players.
"He had some games with the under 23s and played in their friendlies.
"That way he could still get 90 minutes but until I could really push him and make sure he was competing properly it was difficult and he had been doing something different to the rest of the players.
"But it meant that when he was available and could compete, he had had his games, the match fitness was there and we could use him."
Speaking after Saturday's consolation strike, Welsh under-21 international Hedges stressed the importance of making a positive impact when brought on.
His target remains to work his way into the starting 11.
He said: "It's massive. I've only started two games since I came in January and that's what I need to add.
"I need to get more starts under my belt and scoring goals is not a bad way to do it.
"Hopefully it will give me a bit more momentum going forward.
"I want to stake a claim for a starting position.
"I was over the moon to get my first goal for Barnsley but obviously I would have liked it to have been in better circumstances."
