Barnsley v Scunthorpe United: Nouble exit as Robins relies on Harewood

Nouble started four games for the Tykes without scoring and was not even on the bench for last weekend’s goalless draw at Derby County.

The Tykes had the maximum number of six players on loan and Robins had also boosted his attacking options in the last 10 days with the capture of striker Marlon Harewood on loan from Blackpool.

Speaking ahead of tonight’s game, Robins said: “With Marlon coming in, I had a decision to make and with (Jacob) Mellis back from injury I decided that we did not need to extend Frank’s loan spell. He has worked hard for little reward in terms of goals but he has worked hard and we will keep an eye on his future development.”

While Barnsley’s season appears to be destined for an uneventful finale, tonight’s opponents Scunthorpe are locked in a battle for survival.

The Iron have picked up some impressive results in the last few weeks with victories over Nottingham Forest, Sheffield United, and (last weekend) Swansea City meaning they could climb out of the relegation zone tonight.

“Scunthorpe will be scrapping for their lives and we have to match that,” said Robins. “At some stages of the season we have been pretty without being effective, sometimes we have been ugly and not effective, and sometimes we have been fantastic and really effective. That’s the season we have had and why we are where we are in the table now.

“But we still want to finish as high as possible in this league – and the players need to play every game as if it is their last.”

Last six games: Barnsley LDLDLD, Scunthorpe WDWLLW.

Last time: Barnsley 1 Scunthorpe 1; December 9, 2009, Championship.

Referee: K Wright (Cambridgeshire).