Barnsley boss Conor Hourihane provides updates on Josh Earl and Marc Roberts and what he said about his 'babies'
BARNSLEY head coach Conor Hourihane is keeping his fingers crossed that senior defensive duo Josh Earl and Marc Roberts will be back in the mix to start in Saturday's home league game against Leyton Orient at Oakwell.
Earl has been struggling with a back issue of late, while Roberts came off with a groin problem in the recent EFL Trophy loss at Port Vale.
The latter did take his place on the bench at Lincoln City on Tuesday, but did not come on and was not risked.
On Earl, Hourihane said: "He's back in the building today.
"So we're hoping that he can train and get through the next couple of days and then kind of be in and around the squad for the weekend.
"So, it's obviously positive that he's back in today. Today was probably a little bit of a 'if he's not in today, will he not make the weekend or whatever?' But he's back in the building.
"That's a positive.
"Robbo is still okay. He didn't quite make Tuesday. Again, he'll be on the grass today and we'll see if he can get through the session.
"Has it helped with him not coming on Tuesday (and) being a good factor for him in terms of didn't do anything Tuesday and Wednesday? . And can he have a positive day today on the grass? If he does, then obviously he'll be banging the mix for the weekend as well."
Hourihane was left to rue a 'complete moment of madness' after his Reds side fluffed their lines after getting back in the game at League One high-fliers Lincoln City on Tuesday after conceding a second goal shortly after levelling in the second half.
The Reds ended up losing out 3-1 at Sincil Bank, with the hosts grabbing a killer third soon after.
It continued Barnsley's consistently inconsistent season and with the dust having settled a little since, Hourihane is keen to provide perspective.
He added: "I think we need to realise that we've got such an exciting group of players. But for example, Reyes Cleary is a 'baby', he's learning his trade. As are Patrick Kelly and Blandy (Jono Bland).
"Vimal (Yoganathan) is learning his trade. These guys are so, so exciting. Even Jack Shepherd came into the professional game really at 22, only a couple of years ago.
"So there's so many players in our team that are really exciting. But for us to demand week-in, week-out top performances from the four or five that I've just mentioned is unrealistic right now. So there will be times where we're hurting and we have to accept and we have to analyse and get better and become more consistent."