Barnsley Walking Suspension Tight Rope

A third of the way into the new season, Barnsley are already walking a tight rope when it comes to player suspensions with 3 players just one booking away from a one match ban.

Nathan Doyle picked up his fourth booking yesterday at Portman Road which puts him level on bookings with fellow midfielders Diego Arismendi and Adam Hammill. One more bookable offence for any of them would rule them out of the Tykes' next match.

Midfield is certainly not the only department in which Barnsley are potentially thin on the ground. Left back Jay McEveley has begun full training after his injury but is not expected back until the New Year. His replacement, Matt Hill who came on loan from Wolves, managed just two appearances before succumbing to injury himself and now youngster Luke Potter faces a lenghty spell in the treatment room.

Luckily the Reds have Mr. Versatile Bobby Hassell at their disposal, who has filled in at left back for the last two matches but manager Mark Robins insists that they need cover. He told the BBC: 'We need cover and this 25 man [Premiership Squad] rule has an adverse effect on Championship clubs. All it takes is one injury or suspension and they're creeping up.'

The Reds have a week to bring in some defensive cover before the visit of Portsmouth who are without a win in their last 3 games.

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