Barnsley have suffered a significant setback with three key players sidelined due to injuries.
Senior defenders Marc Roberts and Josh Earl are out until the new year, while Portuguese forward Fabio Jalo is expected to be unavailable until spring after undergoing shoulder surgery next week.
Defensive Setbacks
Centre-half Marc Roberts sustained a calf injury during last weekend’s 2-1 home defeat to Birmingham City, while Earl picked up a similar issue in training the day before. Head coach Clarke confirmed the severity of their injuries:
“Marc Roberts will be six weeks; he’s got a tear in his calf. Earl will be roughly four to six weeks as well, that’s what has come back on the scan,” Clarke said.
These injuries leave Barnsley light in central defense, raising concerns as the team faces a packed festive fixture schedule.
Fabio Jalo’s Long-Term Absence
Forward Fabio Jalo will undergo surgery on Wednesday for a shoulder injury, sidelining him for approximately three months. Clarke expressed disappointment but remained optimistic:
“Fabio is to have his operation on Wednesday on his shoulder, and he will be three months. It’s not great news on the injury front, but I am never going to use that as an excuse. We get on with it, and there’s one or two opportunities for players to come into the team and show their worth,” Clarke added.
Potential Implications for Loan Players
The injuries may prompt Barnsley to recall loanees Jack Shepherd and Kacper Lopata from Bradford City and Ross County, respectively. The club has options to strengthen their squad in January, with discussions ongoing about potential reinforcements.
“We’re always trying to strengthen in the window, and we have to as a club. With the injuries we have, one or two players coming in and staking their claim will be important,” Clarke noted.
Writer’s View
The injuries come at a challenging time for Barnsley, who are winless in their past six matches in all competitions. The loss of experienced defenders Roberts and Earl will test the squad’s depth, while Jalo’s absence limits attacking options. A recall of loanees like Shepherd or Lopata could be a short-term solution, but the January transfer window presents a crucial opportunity for Barnsley to strengthen their squad. The upcoming fixtures will be a true test of resilience for Clarke’s side.
Founder and Editor-in-Chief at The Real EFL, Gary is a passionate Lincoln City fan with extensive content creation across the Championship and EFL. He also shares expert football betting tips.
