Injury blow forces Reds to scour market as deadline looms

BARNSLEY have been rocked by the news that summer signing Sessi D'Almeida will miss the rest of the season with a ruptured cruciate ligament injury.
Barnsley's Sessi D'Almeida.

Picture : Jonathan GawthorpeBarnsley's Sessi D'Almeida.

Picture : Jonathan Gawthorpe
Barnsley's Sessi D'Almeida. Picture : Jonathan Gawthorpe

The Benin midfielder, who recently joined the Reds on a two-year deal from Paris St Germain B after impressing on trial in pre-season, suffered the injury in an under-23 game this week, with the club’s worst fears realised when the severity of the problem became fully known.

Head coach Paul Heckingbottom, working behind the scenes to bring in new recruits ahead of next Wednesday’s transfer deadline, said: “He has had an MRI scan and has ruptured his cruciate ligament, so it is not good news.

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“It’s obviously a sickener for him and us as we were using him. It be will the season (out).”

Barnsley's Sessi D'Almeida.

Picture : Jonathan GawthorpeBarnsley's Sessi D'Almeida.

Picture : Jonathan Gawthorpe
Barnsley's Sessi D'Almeida. Picture : Jonathan Gawthorpe

Some positive news sees last season’s top-scorer Sam Winnall return to the squad for Saturday’s home derby with Rotherham United after recovering from a hamstring problem.

Winnall has been sidelined since coming off early on in the opening game of the season at Ipswich Town.

Heckingbottom, who confirmed that Chesterfield’s valution of transfer target Gobly Aribiyi is way above Barnsley’s - with fresh no developments there - added: “He (Winnall) trained on Tuesday and looked sharp.

“So we are really pleased to have Sam back. He was a massive part in what we did last season.”

“We will definitely be using Sam and be in the squad (on Saturday).”