Barnsley FC boss Daniel Stendel provides updates on Ben Hamed Toure and Daniel Johnson ahead of Oxford United game
BARNSLEY head coach Daniel Stendel has confirmed that late summer window signing Ben Hamed Toure is back in training - but is unlikely to be in contention for Saturday's League One home game with in-form Oxford United at Oakwell.
The Ivorian striker has been absent from the club for a spell this autumn due to compassionate leave, but is now back in South Yorkshire.
The ex-FC FC Annecy player's last league appearance came from the bench in the home encounter with Leicester City on September 19.
All told, he has made four competitive appearances for the Reds.
On whether he could be available this weekend, Stendel, whose struggling second-from-bottom side have lost their last six matches in all competitions - with scoring goals as opposed to defensive concessions both being pertinent issues - said: "It would be good, but I think he trained the last time at the start of October and since then he's not really trained.
"It's a little bit difficult to say if he's ready for Saturday. It's good that he's back. Yesterday, he trained the first time with the team - not all (of the session), but for the most part of the training session.
"But I think for Saturday, it's not really possible.
"It's hard for us because everybody knows it was our big striker signing in summer and that he wasn't in (involved) in the last four games. And he was not fit for Saturday. But we work with him and I hope he's back in the squad quickly."
Stendel is more hopeful regarding the prospect of recent signing Daniel Johnson being involved against the U's.
Earlier this month, the former Preston North End and Stoke City winger, 34, linked up with the Reds for the rest of the season after impressing on trial.
A few injury niggles have prevented the one-time Jamaican international from being involved thus far.
Stendel added: "He was good in training the last couple of days and the feeling he has is good. We have a little bit of hope that he's ready for Saturday to be in the squad. Not to start, but to be in the squad.
"I think we talk a lot about experience. I think he has the experience and he has the quality. Especially when we talk about the last games, we talk not so much about the game, more about how we do things in the game.
"When there's a gap in the game, it can change in both directions. We have to keep calm and play our game again, especially in moments like that and he can be an important player for us.”