Full-back Sito has emerged as an injury concern ahead of Tuesday's trip to FA Cup giantkillers Barnsley. The Spaniard turned his ankle in training.

Sito has been out of the side since receiving the third red card of his Town career at Blackpool in January and if he fails to make it his place in the squad will be taken by Chris Casement.

The Blues are likely to be unchanged at the back with Stephen Bywater in goal, David Wright at right-back, Dan Harding on the left and Richard Naylor and Jason De Vos at the heart of the defence.

Again midfield is where the Town boss has most decisions to make with Town failing to impose themselves on long periods of the 1-1 draw with Sheffield United. Velice Sumulikoski had his quietest game for the Blues so far playing alongside David Norris in the centre of the midfield and may be partnered by either Owen Garvan or Tommy Miller at Oakwell.

Norris could revert back to the right midfield role with Jon Walters, who has been nursing a knee injury for some months, either switching to the left or up front. Danny Haynes and Alan Quinn are other alternatives on the left, although the latter has been suffering with an ankle problem and may not be considered fit enough to start.

Alan Lee looks likely to start in attack, either alongside Walters or Pablo Couñago. Jordan Rhodes may be included as an attacking option from the bench, especially if Danny Haynes starts the match.

Magilton says his squad is confident as they go into the season's home straight: "With 10 games to go we've got so much to play for. We still believe in ourselves and there is a lot of optimism around the players.

"That may not be the impression given out by recent performances, but we beat Blackpool here and played very well. We have played two very good sides after that.

"We need people to give us a lift. We need support. It's so easy to criticise - the natural instinct is to be critical.

"What we all need now is support to give people confidence. We recognise that we have got a wonderful opportunity.”

Barnsley boss Simon Davey says he hopes Saturday's FA Cup victory over Chelsea is the start of a run which takes his side, currently 19th in the table, away from the relegation fight: "I hope this is the start of something big.

"But then, at Anfield three weeks ago after we had beaten Liverpool, I said I hoped that result would be the catalyst for us to pick up better results in the league.

"But we then lost one and drew three in the league, which is not great form, and now we've an important game on Tuesday.

"I know I'll be back down to earth because, while we're in the semi-final, which is going to be a fantastic day for all concerned, we need more league points.

"If these players can beat Liverpool away and Chelsea at home, why shouldn't we be further up the table?

"I'll say to the players that if they can beat Chelsea, then they can beat Ipswich, but as we've already seen, football has a habit of kicking you when you are at the top."

Former Town loanee Jon Macken is currently in the Barnsley squad, while loan keeper Tony Warner had a trial with the Blues during George Burley's management.

Brazilian midfielder Anderson De Silva played alongside Pablo Couñago at Malaga and Jordan Rhodes was an academy schoolboy at Oakwell while Simon Davey was in charge of their youth set-up.

Town reserve keeper Nick Colgan joined the Blues in January after his Barnsley contract was cancelled by mutual consent, while defender Richard Naylor spent time on loan at Oakwell in 2002 and Jon Walters was a temporary Tyke for two months at the end of 2003 and start of 2004.

Macken and on-loan Derby defender Lewin Nyatanga are available again after being cup-tied at the weekend, while De Silva, keeper Heinz Muller and Paul Reid are all out with knee ligament injuries.

Historically, the Blues have had much the better of the Tykes, winning 16 games between the sides (15 in the league), drawing four (four) and losing 10 (eight). In December the teams drew 0-0 at Portman Road.

There promises to be a large crowd at Oakwell on Tuesday with Barnsley giving fans who attend the Town game preference when FA Cup semi-final tickets go on sale.

Tuesday's referee is Darren Drysdale from Lincolnshire, who has shown 71 yellow and five red cards this season in 25 games. Drysdale has not previously refereed a Town game.

Likely squad: Bywater, Colgan, Wright, Harding, Sito/Casement, Naylor, De Vos, Wilnis, Bruce, Garvan, Sumulikoski, Miller, Norris, Walters, Haynes, Trotter, Quinn, Lee, Couñago, Rhodes.

Photo: Action Images

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