Thompson Looking For Tykes Deal

Some would call it a baptism of fire, Simon Davey called it 'sink or swim'.

O'Neil Thompson was thrown in at the deep end on Saturday as he looks to earn himself a deal at Oakwell this week.

The 25 year old Jamaican plays for Norwegian side Notodden FK and apparently comes highly recommended by international team mate and Oakwell star Jamal Campbell-Ryce.

After injuries to Anderson and Hugo Colace, the central midfield was left bare and this provided Thompson the opportunity to fill in alongside youngster Jacob Butterfield.

Davey was impressed with the tall centre back's debut. He told the club's official website: 'O'Neil did very well. We brought him in as a centre back but he can also play in midfield and we had to throw him in there today. It was the toughest trial you could ever have and it really was sink or swim. I thought he swam today.'

Barnsley's coaching staff and ultimately Simon Davey will make a decision by Thursday next week as to whether or not the club will offer Thompson a deal at Oakwell, but he certainly looked competent against a top class team.

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