Town Could Be Unchanged at Barnsley Saturday, 8th Feb 2014 08:10 Mick McCarthy could field an unchanged side as Town visit his relegation-threatened hometown club Barnsley on Saturday. Cole Skuse is expected to be fine despite suffering a head injury in last week’s 1-0 victory over Bolton, while Stephen Hunt is likely to be fine despite missing Thursday training with a tight groin. Luke Hyam remains on the sidelines with the gashed knee he suffered at Millwall, while Sylvan Ebanks-Blake is back in full training but a week or so away from a return to first-team action. After last week’s clean sheet, the Blues boss is likely to stick with Dean Gerken in goal and his regular backline of Luke Chambers at right-back, Aaron Cresswell on the left and Tommy Smith and Christophe Berra at the heart of the defence. In midfield, McCarthy is likely to stick with the 4-3-3 formation he utilised last week with Hunt and Jay Tabb, who impressed him against the Trotters, in front of Skuse. “Tabby’s played there more than Hunty,” he said. “Skusey was a real loss when he went off, although I thought Anthony Wordsworth came on and did OK. “I’m not so sure I’ve got a midfield that can play 4-4-2 because suddenly Luke Hyam’s missing, Ryan Tunnicliffe’s left and Skusey picked up a knock, although he’ll be fine I’m sure, unless he has any reaction to [Thursday] training.” If Skuse doesn’t make it, in addition to Wordsworth, who replaced him last week, McCarthy says recent signing Frazer Richardson is another option, having come on in that role late on against the Trotters: “He’s a capable footballer and playing that defensive role would suit him fine.” Wordsworth would probably come in for Hunt if the Irishman fails to make it, while new signing Paul Green will be in the squad if the paperwork on his deal is done and dusted by noon. Up front, top scorer David McGoldrick and Daryl Murphy could again be joined by Frank Nouble, while Paul Taylor may hope for a recall having put in a lively display for the U21s during the 2-2 draw with Millwall in which he scored twice from the penalty spot. If McCarthy does decide he has the personnel for a 4-4-2 formation, the system favoured by the Tykes recently, Tabb is likely to partner Skuse in the centre with Hunt on the left and Edwards or Paul Anderson on the right and McGoldrick and Murphy up front. McCarthy says he loved his time as a player at his hometown club: “I just have so many fond, happy memories of it. But it was a long time ago, I left there in 1983 and I’ve lived away from Barnsley ever since. “Fond memories and I think they’ve got fond memories of me, certainly the older ones. Not so much the younger ones, they can’t remember I’ve played there. But I go back wanting to win and that’s all I think about.” He says he can’t recall winning at Oakwell too often as a manager, a May 1994 1-0 success while in charge at Millwall is in fact his only victory there as a boss. “I spoke to somebody from Barnsley yesterday, one of the papers, and they asked whether I’d ever won as a manager and I can’t remember if I have,” he said. “I did say to him that I’d won there as a player and he went ‘Oh, did you?’. Slightly wasted on him, that! “I always get a good reception but no one ever wants to see me walk away with the points. Of course I’d like to see Danny Wilson get out of trouble because he’s managing Barnsley and he’s a mate of mine, but not at my expense.” The Tykes, who are second-bottom of the Championship, five points from safety, will be without midfield duo Jacob Mellis and Emmanuel Frimpong, who were both red-carded in last week’s 1-0 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday. January signing Liam Lawrence, who played for McCarthy at Sunderland, could make his first Barnsley start in their absence, while full-back Bobby Hassell may return from a calf problem. Historically, Town have done well against the South Yorkshiremen, winning 21 games between the sides (20 in the league), drawing eight (eight) and losing 13 (11). In November at Portman Road, in Town’s only live Sky game so far this season, Barnsley sub Jim O’Brien’s 70th minute equaliser claimed his side’s first away point of the campaign. Daryl Murphy had headed the Blues in front in the 41st minute with Town on top, but the visitors were the better side after the break. Aaron Cresswell was sent off after the final whistle for foul and abusive language after Town were denied a late penalty when Frank Nouble appeared to be brought down. Last time at Oakwell in September 2012, Town withstood a second half barrage from Barnsley to claim a 1-1 draw. Aaron Cresswell put the Blues in front in the sixth minute from a well-worked freekick but the home side put on the pressure after the break and grabbed a 74th minute equaliser via Stephen Dawson. Town boss McCarthy came through the ranks at Oakwell, making his senior debut in 1977 and went on to make 314 appearances, scoring 10 goals, before leaving for Manchester City in 1983, having been part of a side which had climbed from the Fourth to the Second Division. Blues striker Frank Nouble spent two spells on loan with Barnsley during 2010/11 and 2011/12, failing to net in nine starts and one sub appearance in total. Town fitness coach Andy Liddell was a Barnsley player between 1991 and 1998, also having come through the Tykes’ youth system. Blues scout Ian 'Taff' Evans played alongside McCarthy at Oakwell from 1979 until 1983. Barnsley recently signed midfielder Martin Woods, who was offered a deal by the Blues in November when he instead opted to rejoin his former side Doncaster on a short-term deal. Town fans can buy tickets at Oakwell on the day of the game for no additional cost, although no student or under-12 concessions will be available. Saturday’s referee is Darren Bond from Lancashire, who has shown 60 yellow cards and three red in 18 games so far this season. Bond has never previously taken charge of a Town game and will be refereeing only his fourth match at Championship level. Squad from: Gerken, Loach, Chambers, Richardson, Cresswell, Mings, Smith, Berra, Skuse, Wordsworth, Edwards, Anderson, Hunt, Tabb, Green, Murphy, McGoldrick, Nouble, Taylor, Lee.
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