Adam Hammill says being suspended for three matches has given him the rest he needed ahead of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final and a promotion push.
The winger, 27, was shown a straight red card at Bury last month for a tackle on ex-Red Danny Rose. He was suspended for the wins against Crewe, Coventry and Walsall then returned for the defeat to Southend.
"Missing three games was tough to take but it gave me a bit of respite to heal a few injuries that I had, so it probably came at the right time," said Hammill.
"I could rest up and be at 100 per cent for the rest of the season. It was frustrating to lose against Southend but we need to take the positives out of it and get back in those play-off places."
Hammill will now be competing for a place with young loan wingers Harry Chapman and Lloyd Isgrove but he says he is passing on his experience to them as well.
"I have tried to help them out as much as I can and I have told them not to make the same mistakes that I made," said Hammill.
"It's an added responsibility and one I have never had before. I am the oldest player which is a bit strange but I am enjoying it. There's a lot of competition for places and it keeps us all on our toes. We know we have to perform to our maximum or we will get substituted or taken out of the team."
Hammill, who is contracted at Barnsley until the end of the season, says he is not thinking about his next move but is just enjoying being back at Oakwell for a second spell.
"My future is not something I have spoken about I am just enjoying myself," said Hammill, who has five goals in 19 games since joining in November.
"I'm playing with a smile on my face and I'll decide my future at the end of the season. The Barnsley fans have made me feel so welcome and given me my confidence back. I can't thank them enough. "It's gone so well so far and I can see it going even better. "We were in a false predicament when I first came.
"The lads just weren't believing in themselves as much as they should have been. We lacked a bit of character but we're stronger physically and mentally now. We know we can win any game."
