Barnsley‘s Darrell Clarke has revealed a positive update in the progress of midfielder Josh Benson as he battles back from yet another injury.
The 24-year-old has played nine times so far this season, already beating his total of eight in 2023/24, but has been missing since their EFL Trophy game against Doncaster Rovers in October due to a hamstring issue.
Clarke Hopeful For Long-Term Fitness
The Tykes are preparing to face League One opposition in Bristol Rovers as the second round of the FA Cup begins and Clarke’s side will be no doubt buoyed by the fact that Benson is now in full training.
The former Cheltenham Town and Pirates boss told the Yorkshire Post in the pre-match press conference:
“He has his first full training on Monday and is back in full training, so hopefully we can keep him for a substantial period of time and make sure he is not having those little niggles and strains that just keep holding him back a bit.”
“(About the game) For sure, it’s about concentrating on performance to get the result, that’s always the focus.
“We have to make sure we’re in the third round to even start thinking about that. All concentrate ahead is on Bristol Rovers to try and win that game.
“They have had lots of changeover in summer and invested into the squad and have gone for younger players and paid good fees for younger players.
“They are middle of the table, with a good manager in Matt (Taylor), who is experienced and I am sure they will want to get into the third round as much as we do.”
Writer’s View
After playing former club Port Vale in the first round, Darrell Clarke has the treat of facing yet another former side to reach the third round. Bristol Rovers have looked extremely shaky this season and this is a good chance for Barnsley to get through to potentially match with one of the big boys. It might be a match where he considers bringing Josh Benson in from the start after a week of training but it is more likely he sticks with his preferred choices of Luca Connell, Adam Phillips and Jonathan Russell for this game.
1st Class Honours in Multimedia Journalism at Salford University. Writing mainly about League Two.
