Barnsley FC boss Conor Hourihane says Jon Russell remains 'valuable' member of Reds squad
CONOR HOURIHANE has reassured Jon Russell he has a crucial role to play over the Christmas period – but accepts the Jamaica international may move on in January in search of first-team football.
The 25-year-old midfielder had been a regular for Barnsley since joining in January 2023 from Huddersfield Town and was leant on by Hourihane following his promotion to head coach towards the back end of last season.
But his only starts for the Reds this term have come in the three cup competitions, with his only activity in League One play coming from 10 appearances off the bench.
He came on and scored the equaliser in the 3-2 win over Leyton Orient last Saturday, and with five games to come in a busy festive period before a marquee FA Cup appointment at Liverpool on Monday, January 12, Hourihane expects Russell to have a role to play.
“With Jon, he’s at the stage of his career where he’s wanting more game time,” admitted Hourihane.
“Jon was very effective last year in the 10 games I took charge. This season he’s found it a little harder to get into the team.
“He’s done extremely well the last couple of games at Peterborough and with the impact he made at Leyton Orient, so I know he’s going to play a big part over the Christmas period, he’s a valuable member of the squad.”
As much as he values Russell, and given he wants to prioritise adding bodies in January to combat the anticipated packed schedule, Hourihane will not stand in his way.
“What happens in January, we’ll see,” mused the head coach.
“If he’s here at the end of it, brilliant, and if there’s something else that happens we’ll consider that as well.”
Hourihane said ahead of Saturday’s trip to Exeter City that forward areas will be a part of the pitch he will prioritise strengthening in January, with the Reds having three and four games to make up on some of the teams in the League One play-off race.
Fabio Jalo played his last game for the Under-21s this week to bolster the squad over the busy period.
Looking ahead to a busy first month of 2026, Hourihane added: “With how aggressive we play and how we play in and out of possession, that will be really difficult for players to start every single game.
“I think we need a couple of attackers to help with the load.”