Ben Williams is hoping to build on his successful return to the Barnsley side with a cup clash at Premier League Burnley that would mean a lot to him.
The 19-year-old left-back came through the youth system at Blackburn Rovers, the bitter local rivals of the Reds’ hosts in tomorrow’s FA Cup third round clash.
Williams said: “I would love to play in the game but it’s up to the gaffer. It would be a big game for me. As an ex-Blackburn player it would be good to beat Burnley and it would be great to get through to the next round as well and have a cup run. It would be a good experience to come up against Premier League players.
“I like to test myself against as good a team as possible and there is no better way to do that than to face a Premier League club.”
Williams played in the 0-0 draw at Luton Town on Tuesday with first choice left-back Dani Pinillos injured. It was his first league appearance for more than two months and his fourth of the season which is his first in senior football.
“I am really pleased with how it’s going for me. It’s great to get another 90 minutes in. It was definitely nice to be back in the the team and I am looking to keep my place.
“In the first half I put some big challenges in. I like to leave my mark on the game but I have to get it right.
“It’s an honour just to be getting games at a young age and I am thankful for the gaffer (Daniel Stendel) for having faith in me. He gives me a lot of confidence.
“All the staff have been really, really good with me – speaking to me all the time and telling me how I am doing. Hopefully I can just keep improving and play games throughout the season.”
The draw at Luton left Barnsley six points off the top two but Williams insists the Reds are focused purely on automatic promotion.
“We have only got one thing on our mind and that’s promotion. It’s definitely possible to get in the top two, anything can happen in the rest of the season.”
