Andy Yiadom will not play for Barnsley at Blackpool tomorrow as he has already left for the Africa Cup of Nations.
The full-back has met up with the Ghana squad for a training camp ahead of the tournament in Gabon which starts on January 14 and runs until February 5. The 25-year-old is thankful to Barnsley for signing him from League Two Barnet in the summer and playing him regularly in the Championship. That attracted the attention of the Ghanaian FA who appear to have denied the Reds' request for Yiadom to play in the FA Cup game.
After his call-up, the former England C player told the Chronicle: "A few years back it wouldn't have even crossed my mind to go to the Africa Cup of Nations. I think Ghana have just been looking at me since Barnsley have been doing well. I am very grateful to Barnsley for giving me this chance."
He added: "I haven't had that many conversations with the Ghana coaches. Hecky (Reds boss Paul Heckingbottom) is the one who helps me in my career and tells me what I need to improve on."
Yiadom – who has played 24 games for the Reds this season – is confident his nation can go a long way while he is hopeful that his ability to play at left-back or right-back will get him into the side.
"My versatility could be a factor," said the 25-year-old who was called up for the first time in November but is yet to make his debut. He added: "The tournament is quite intense with a lot of games so hopefully I will be used quite a lot. "We've got a very, very good team. All the boys in the camp are very confident and looking to go very far."
While he is away, Yiadom will be tracking the fortunes of the team he has helped to eighth place in the Championship. He said: "I will miss Barnsley and I will be following their results but we have a really good squad and hopefully they will do an excellent job while I am away."
Heckingbottom had hoped Yiadom would feature in tomorrow's FA Cup match at Blackpool before travelling to Africa. Aidy White is now likely to return to the side after injury while Cole Kpekawa is another option to play at left-back in the town where he was born.
White has been training for several weeks and played two under 23s games on his return from an injury he picked up in September. The former Leeds defender was on the bench at Nottingham Forest on Monday.
The Reds boss said: "It's been a long time getting Aidy back. "He played half a game then 75 minutes. It was important that we didn't rush him back because it's always been in the back of our minds that Yids could be going for the Africa Cup of Nations."
It has been a remarkable journey for Yiadom who, a year ago this week, was sent off for Barnet against Bristol Rovers in League Two – while Barnsley were moving up from a relegation battle in League One to promotion.
He said: "All the boys were in the shower the other day and having a chat about how everyone has come a long way. I wasn't here last season but, when you hear about them coming from bottom in League One to get promoted, you know what a great job they have done.
"It's a big achievement to be where we are in the Championship but we're not going to settle for that. We just want to get better. We're just in the mentality of catching the team in front of us and, when we have done that, we go again. Playing these big clubs in big stadiums is what I wanted to do as a little kid."
