Barnsley boss provides updates on Josh Earl, Adam Phillips, Mael de Gevigney and Fabio Jalo
BARNSLEY head coach Conor Hourihane has confirmed that Josh Earl, Adam Phillips and Mael de Gevigney are all in contention to return in Saturday's League One home match against Luton Town at Oakwell.
Earl has missed the past four matches with a back issue, while Phillips has been absent since picking up an injury in the EFL Trophy on October 21. De Gevigney sat out the games against York City, Doncaster Rovers and Lincoln City with a knee problem.
Georgie Gent and Fabio Jalo are also back with the group, with the latter 'two or three weeks away' from being involved in a matchday squad, with the Portuguese youth international winger having not featured so far this season due to a knee issue. His last appearance was back on April 21.
Hourihane said: "Right now, we're in a really fortunate position.
"Georgie Gent is playing games for the (under) 21s and Fabio has been back with the group now for a week. Josh, Phillo and Mael are all back and firing.
"So, we're in a really fortunate position at the minute in terms of bodies and squad depth.
"I think we're going to need exactly that heading into the next six-week period after Christmas, with how many games there's going to be. So, from that point of view, there's no complaints whatsoever in terms of the bodies we've got on the grass.
"I think Fabio is two or three weeks away from being potentially involved in a matchday squad. But he's looking good.
"He needs a '21s' game before getting ready for selection or selection for the squad. But he's looking really good. It's a really positive body to have on the grass.
"He gives us something different with his dribbling and his power and his pace.
"So, that's a really exciting one for us because he's a quite unique player in terms of what he gives us. And then Philo and Josh are all back on the grass and all back training."