Barnsley team news ahead of Sheffield Wednesday clash

Barnsley go into their toughest test so far with a home game against local rivals and top of the table Sheffield Wednesday tonight.

The Tykes go into the game unbeaten in 11 games winning 9 of those and drawing twice. The last defeat was back in early January with a 0-2 loss at Charlton Athletic. During this run, the Tykes have comprehensively beaten Derby County 4-1 and Plymouth Argyle 3-0 and only conceded 6 goals.

Tonight’s game is the last in what looked on paper a tough set of make or break fixtures for Michael Duff`s side. After tonight, Barnsley get a week off before they prepare for the final eleven games of the league season.

The visitors are in a rich vein of form going unbeaten since October 4, 2022 and a late defeat to Plymouth. The Owls have gone unbeaten in 23 league games resulting in hitting top spot in League One. The only side to win at Hillsborough this season in League One are the Tykes with a 2-0 away win in early September. Barnsley are hoping to record their first home win over the Owls since 2008.

The Tykes go into tonight’s game in good health with no injuries reported since the late victory at Wycombe on Saturday. Defender Robbie Cundy is now available after a long spell out injured but Duff is unlikely to break up the back three of Kitching, Thomas and Andersen that has performed so well during this unbeaten run. Cundy could make the bench with Duff explaining “He comes into the thinking now. He’s not ready to start but he is ready now and ready to bring something to the table”.

The main issue for Duff is who starts upfront?

James Norwood and Devante Cole have been the usual go-to forwards and both scored in that win at Hillsborough in September. Slobodan Tedic came off the bench on Saturday and scored the winner against Wycombe and has impressed in training since returning from rehabilitation at his parent club Manchester City. Luke Thomas has played cameo performances from the bench since returning from breaking his leg earlier in the season. Thomas provided the assist for Tedic on Saturday and could be a surprise inclusion on Tuesday.

Duff opted with Harry Isted in goal on Saturday despite regular goalkeeper Brad Collins returning from injury. Max Watters was given a start at Wycombe but failed to make an impact so Duff has a selection headache in the reds forward line.

Barnsley from: Isted, B Thomas, Kitching, Andersen, Williams, Cadden, Phillips, Connell, Kane, Norwood, Cole, Watters, Tedic, Collins, Larkeche, L Thomas, Benson, Russell.