Barnsley: Reds will seek replacement for O’Sullivan: Johnson

LEE JOHNSON has confirmed that loan winger John O’Sullivan will return to parent club Blackburn Rovers after this weekend’s League One clash with Preston.
Lee JohnsonLee Johnson
Lee Johnson

O’Sullivan has impressed during his time at Oakwell, but injury problems at Ewood Park have prompted manager Gary Bowyer to decide to bring him back after this weekend when his initial month-long loan expires.

Johnson says that Barnsley will seek a ‘like for like’ replacement for the speedy winger.

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The Reds head coach said: “It is disappointing for us because John has done well.

Lee JohnsonLee Johnson
Lee Johnson

“But the plan for them was to get him out and do well and then come back for the back end of their season.

“We may have to do a little bit of work to replace him in the market and we’ll beaver away.”

Peter Ramage has completed two full days training after overcoming a thigh injury, but this weekend’s home encounter with North End is likely to be too early for him to be in contention for a start.

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But Johnson says that the loan defender is fit enough to take a place on the bench if he so elects.

Johnson said: “We want as many people back and available as we can.

“The problem we got is that we have six loans and one will have to miss out (on the matchday squad) all the time.

“If we sign another one else on loan, two might have to miss out, so we will have to be careful.”

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Jean-Yves M’voto will be back in contention after missing the midweek draw at Leyton Orient due to a bout of sickness.

The big defender played 45 minutes for the development squad against Coventry on Thursday afternoon and came through well, according to Johnson.