Barnsley boss Johnson welcomes goalkeeping conundrum ahead of Blades test

After a mini keeping crisis ahead of last weekend’s League One trip to leaders Bristol City when first-choice custodians Ross Turnbull and Adam Davies were sidelined and Christian Dibble was on Wales U21 international duty, Johnson’s hand could be bolstered seven days on.

Davies could feature after missing last weekend’s 2-2 draw at Ashton Gate with an abdominal injury, when loanee Joe Wildsmith made his debut after joining on a youth loan from Sheffield Wednesday.

Third-choice keeper Dibble is also available again for Johnson, who confirmed that highly-rated teenager James Bree has returned to light training and could be available in a few weeks time.

Turnbull and Paul Digby are sidelined.

Johnson, who said that Mason Holgate should be fit for Saturday’s clash with the fifth-placed Blades, said: “Adam is doing very well. Obviously, when we had him scanned, he had a small tear which was a week to ten days (out) really.

“We brought Joe in and he has done excellently. But Davo has been chomping at the bit really and a bit frustrated we have held him back.

“He has been out there training and it is not so much the training, but the kicking due to the nature of the injury and goalkeepers on average kick 50 to 70 times a game over long distances and that’s really the issue.

“But he could be (available) and we will get him out tomorrow and see how he is.

“All of a sudden, from no options, we have three (potential) options which is good.”

On Bree’s return, he added: “It is nice to see James back on the training ground. I was well pleased with that and he was chuffed as well. Although we will take it easy with him and he won’t be ready for a couple of weeks yet.”