BARNSLEY head coach Conor Hourihane said the reasoning behind the decision to end the first-team exile of frozen-out duo Kelechi Nwakali and Georgie Gent followed discussions between himself and the club.

The pair were surprisingly named on the bench in Tuesday night's 1-0 loss at Stevenage.

Nwakali had not been in Hourihane's plans throughout this season. The club tried unsuccessfully to move him on in the winter window and the summer market in 2025.

The 27-year-old, who has a year left on his deal, came on as a 72nd-minute substitute for Jono Bland.

Kelechi Nwakali, right. (Image: Tony Johnson)

placeholder image — Kelechi Nwakali, right. (Image: Tony Johnson)

Hourihane recently revealed that ex-Blackburn Rovers left-back Gent had been left out of his squad due to the fact that he has not hit the standards that he wants from his squad on a daily basis.

The Reds chief insisted that the door was not closed on the 22-year-old returning and he came on in the second half at Boro for his first appearance in exactly two months.

With Hourihane departing the club after the final game of the season, the decision was taken to look at the broader picture beyond this campaign and hand the pair some first-team involvement.

Hourihane said: “It's only right for everyone now to look forward onto the new season, onto the new manager, whatever that's going to look like.

Barnsley defender Georgie Gent. Photo: Tony Johnson.

"So I think it's only right really that, in the discussions between myself and the club, we were all in agreement that for the last four games, could we look further afield and that was part of the negotiation.

"Clearly, they're going to be a little bit behind on that (match fitness). And that's going to be frustrating for them.

"I thought the both of them weren't miles away from the pace of the game. They were not out of sorts, they look no different than the rest."

The mid-table Reds lost out to a 22nd-minute goal from Dan Kemp following a mistake by Marc Roberts as the hosts moved closer to securing a play-off spot.

Hourihane, who was again without David McGoldrick (hamstring), while Josh Earl was rested, added: "We were loose and a bit sloppy on the ball which created our own downfall really.

"We were not up to our standards that I would expect on the ball particularly. One of the things that we've been quite good at over the course of the season.

"They defend their box really, really well and they don't give too much away. Overall, it was really disappointing.

"It (winning goal) was a frustrating one and Robbo will be disappointed with that."

Barnsley visit second-placed Luton Town on Saturday.