Barnsley players are united to finish season, says Gerhard Struber

Those fears have turned into reality for the Reds’ fellow strugglers Charlton Athletic, with Lyle Taylor, Chris Solly and loanee David Davis all refusing to return for the final nine games for fear of injury ruining potential summer moves with their deals up at the end of this month.

The loss of 11-goal top-scorer Taylor, who has been linked with a number of Championship clubs alongside SPL giants Glasgow Rangers, is likely to be a particularly painful one for Addicks manager Lee Bowyer.

Regarding Barnsley, head coach Struber is at least assuaged by the fact that his players who are coming off contract have shown commitment.

There is also a collective desire to fulfil their commitments for 2019-20 and a pragmatic acceptance that the only way that they will get out of relegation trouble is on the pitch between now and season’s end.

Struber said: “I’ve spoken with every single player about the situation and their motivation and maybe what comes in the future.

“The feedback is that we go until the last game – 100 per cent.

“I have a good feeling that every player will take the last chance to pick up points in the last nine games.

“I think we have no discussions like Charlton and other clubs and we stay together. It is helpful for every single player in the future.

“When you think more about what is after the nine games, then you have a problem in the important time – the final nine games.

“We are in a very good exchange together, which is also helpful. We won’t lose energy with other topics.”

Meanwhile, Struber has stressed that he is likely to utilise all of his squad in his side’s remaining matches.

The Premier League have confirmed clubs will operate with 20-man matchday squads with the use of five substitutes permitted.

Until football’s suspension, sides could name seven substitutes and bring on three players and the Championship is expected to follow the lead of the top-flight, with the EFL discussing identical proposals with clubs.

“Every player has the chance to play and we need every single player in the squad,” Struber added.

“We will hopefully have five (playing) substitutes in the games and a squad of 20 players.

“My squad is small when we look at other teams. I think we need every single player in this final phase.”

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