When you have played in the Premier League, for your country and alongside Gareth Bale before your 19th birthday, a loan spell in League One should not seem that daunting.
Declan John signed for Barnsley on loan until the end of the season from Cardiff last week and wants to add a promotion to his already stacked CV. His Reds debut was delayed due to international clearance but he is expected to be in tomorrow's squad to face Oldham Athletic.
"It is a bit silly that something like that can stop you from playing but it's just part and parcel of football," John, who has two caps for Wales, told the Chronicle.
"I'll be ready for this weekend. I've seen an opportunity to come and play and, hopefully, get this team higher up the table and into the next league. I know Barnsley is such a big club in this division and that's what got me to come and play here.
"It is a tight-knit squad but a big one so it's going to be hard for me to get into the team but I just want to push my way in and get games."
Barnsley head coach Lee Johnson described the 19-year-old as just as comfortable at left-back as left wing but John feels he is better in midfield. He said: "I think my best position is on the wing. "I'm more of an attacking player than I am a defensive one. I played left-back in the Premier League and the Championship and I have done well in that position but I think further up the pitch is where you'll see the best of me."
John has certainly trained with a good left-sided player in Real Madrid's Bale who is a fellow Wales international. John said: "Obviously getting called up for the international squad is a dream come true for any person, especially as young as I am. So being able to play with those sort of players like Craig Bellamy, just before he retired, Aaron Ramsey and Gareth Bale has been amazing. To be passing the ball to him and him passing it to you is an amazing feeling."
Barnsley have been short of left-sided cover since Joe Dudgeon returned to Hull City and teenager George Smith has been the first choice left-back. John said: "I've seen that George is a good player. It's going to be tough to get a place."
