BARNSLEY head coach Daniel Stendel says he is 'really positive' about the rehabilitation of injured trio Vimal Yoganathan, Cieran Slicker and Isaac Smith - and has suggested that they could be back in the fray next month.

All three are yet to feature this term after picking up injuries in pre-season.

Stendel, speaking ahead of Saturday's League One trip to Plymouth Argyle, said: "The rehab from Vim and Slicks is really positive and Isaac Smith also too.

"This is what I have in my head; the feeling that they will come back (soon). Maybe not in the next two weeks, but the improvement in the way up is really good. This is a good feeling for me.

Barnsley head coach Daniel Stendel. Photo: Tony Johnson.

placeholder image — Barnsley head coach Daniel Stendel. Photo: Tony Johnson.

"Maybe in a couple of weeks (after), we have all three players back and we have more options and more quality back in our team."

Meanwhile, Stendel admits to having mixed feelings regarding Barnsley potentially having games called off in the up-and-coming international break or playing on.

At league level, the Reds are scheduled to visit Bradford City on September 26 and host MK Dons seven days later. But things could change due to international call-ups.

On the prospect of playing on in the international hiatus - or having a break - he said: "It's a little bit of a gamble.

FC Annacy striker Ben Hamed Toure, who has joined Barnsley. Picture courtesy of BFC.

"On one side we have four games (in all competitions, with two in the EFL Trophy) in an international break. When we miss games, we have more games in the midweek, maybe in the next couple of months.

"On the other side, when a player like Tyrese Noslin, PK (Patrick Kelly) and maybe Blandy (Jono Bland), would play internationally, we miss three important players for us.

"But when we don't play, it's a big chance to bring these (injured) players back in normal full training, and maybe after the break, they can play."

The Reds chief says he has been pleased with the training-ground work of recent signing Ben Hamed Touré and will decide whether the former FC Annecy striker will be in the match-day squad for the Argyle game after training on Friday.

"We have been a little bit careful with him because he had some injuries in the pre-season and he didn't have a full pre-season in all honesty," Stendel commented.

"But the first impressions have been good and we will look at training today and tomorrow. Then we decide if he is ready to be in the squad or not. But the feeling is good."