Barnsley FC winger Elliot Simoes joins Doncaster Rovers on loan

Simoes, 21, will provide another creative option in the final third of the pitch for Rovers chief Darren Moore, with Josh Sims having returned to Southampton due to a hamstring problem shortly before the end of his half-season loan and fellow loanee Rayhaan Tulloch still recuperating from injury at parent club West Brom and short of match fitness after playing just twice after joining on a season-long loan last September.

Simoes is capable as operating as an attacking midfielder, number ten or out wide.

The former FC United of Manchester player has featured nine times for the Oakwell outfit this season, but has only made two appearances for the club during the era of head coach Valerien Ismael.

His last appearance came in the 3-0 loss at Cardiff City on November 3, when he was substituted five minutes before half-time.

Simoes - who joined Barnsley two years ago - subsequently found himself dropped from the Reds’ matchday squad, with Ismael stating that the decision was made due to his performances in training.

The Portugal-born player made his debut for Barnsley in the autumn of 2019 and made 18 appearances during the club’s ‘Great Escape’ campaign of 2019-20, contributing two goals, including the winner in the Reds’ 1-0 success at QPR last June in the club’s first match after the first lockdown.