Barnsley FC v Cambridge United: Daniel Stendel on why Jack Shepherd is an example to follow

It's something that Jack Shepherd has displayed of late in battling his way back into Daniel Stendel's plans after being on the periphery at the start of the campaign.

The attitude of the former Pontefract Collieries defender – who worked as a kitchen-fitter before entering professional football in the summer of 2023 - has not been lost upon the Reds chief, who hopes it rubs off on others.

Stendel said: "He got the chance to play against Leicester and with his attitude on the pitch, he gives some players and our team the right sign with what we have to do first before we think about some things in possession.

"We have to fight a lot to win duels in the air and also on the ground.

"He was one of the players who has showed it a lot. It doesn't matter if he didn't play in the first couple of games, he trained well and never gave up.

"This is also a good attitude and sign for everybody in the squad: to fight to do your best every day, and to take your chance."

Barnsley will certainly need to show some battling qualities against a physically imposing Cambridge side.

Alongside Sheffield Wednesday, they are the only side who remain unbeaten on their travels in League One this term.

The fifth-placed U's are likely to test a Reds side that has conceded 23 goals in their past seven matches in all competitions and are winless at league level since September 2.

Stendel continued: "It's a team that has played very well in the first games and play a lot of times on second balls and long balls.

"This is one of the things that we have to improve - the aerial duels and defending as a team - because I would say our high press isn't as possible against them.

"We have to focus on defending well. Also when we talk about our young team, Cambridge is a 'man's team' who work hard on the pitch and try to use their skills to score goals.

"We have to show them that we have the energy to break them."