Barnsley v Leicester City: Price tag hits Tykes' bid to bring in target man Healy

FORMER Leeds United striker David Healy is a target for Barnsley manager Mark Robins.

The Tykes have lost three in a row going into tonight's game with Leicester City and Robins wants the Northern Ireland international, who is out of favour at Sunderland, to strengthen his attack.

A major stumbling block, however, is the 1m price tag and Robins will have to switch his sights unless the Wearsiders drop the price or sanction a loan deal.

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"It is no secret that I have made an enquiry about David," said Robins. "He is available but in the unobtainable category at the moment. We have to cut our cloth accordingly."

Healy, 30, cost Sunderland 8m two summers ago but has not started a league game since and still has another season remaining on his contract.

He recently admitted that he would welcome a return to Leeds but has also been linked with Ipswich Town and Cardiff City.

Robins freed up the money for a new signing by selling winger Jamal Campbell-Ryce to Bristol City and also allowing reserve team players Michael Coulson, O'Neil Thompson, Onome Sodje and Jordan Hibbert to leave the club.

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Coulson is staying on loan with Grimsby until the end of the season, Jamaican international Thompson has joined Burton Albion for a month, Sodje has joined Slovakian side FC Senica, and teenager Hibbert has been released.

"I am trying to move one or two in and one or two out," added Robins.

"This is always a very difficult transfer window because the only players people want to move on are the ones they do not want. We are always looking to do things that will benefit the club."

Robins spent three happy years as a player with tonight's opponents Leicester but will not allow sentiment to get in the way of his current need for a victory.

Last six games: Barnsley DDWLLL, Leicester WWWDLL

Last time: Barnsley 0 Leicester 1, April 19, 2008, Championship.

Referee: D Webb (Co Durham).