BARNSLEY head coach Conor Hourihane has reassured goalkeeper Kieren Flavell that he has a definite opportunity to be handed more game time before season's end - despite his first-team return lasting one game.

The 22-year-old came in for the ill Owen Goodman for the Good Friday trip to Burton Albion, but found himself back out of the side against Plymouth Argyle on Good Monday, despite doing well enough.

With Goodman returning to parent club Crystal Palace at the end of the season, many ventured that having a longer look at Flavell was beneficial.

More especially given that Barnsley, despite recent results, still remain unlikely to drop into a League One relegation fight.

Barnsley keeper Kieren Flavell. Photo: Tony Johnson.

placeholder image — Barnsley keeper Kieren Flavell. Photo: Tony Johnson.

Explaining his decision, Hourihane - whose side are seeking to end their six-match losing run when they visit derby rivals Rotherham United on Saturday - said: "I think he did well at Burton.

"The one thing about the Burton game compared to Plymouth is we knew that there wouldn't be probably loads of opportunities in the game because Burton aren't that free-flowing team that score loads of goals. We knew it was going to be a very, very tight game.

"So, coming into that game probably suited him because he hasn't played much all season.

"Whereas with Plymouth, we knew they had a real goal threat with their two strikers up at the top of the pitch and they are massive on set plays. So I think it would have been a real challenging game for Flav.

Barnsley head coach Conor Hourihane. Photo: Tony Johnson.

"There's an opportunity for Flav definitely to get a couple of games before the end of the season, but right now it's a time for ‘proper selection’ from number one to 11, by the way, not just the goalkeeping selection and to deal with the rest as the games kind of go on."

Hourihane has confirmed that left-back Georgie Gent has been left out of his squad over the past few weeks due to the fact that he has not hit the standards that he wants from his squad.

The Reds chief said: "It doesn't mean that the door's closed on Georgie at all, but he needs to meet a standard and a professionalism that I expect from every single player."

Josh Earl is back in contention for the weekend derby against the Millers having been out since January with a broken foot since early January.

Corey O’Keeffe could also be involved, but the game comes too soon for loanee Tawanda Chirewa.