Burton Albion v Barnsley: George Williams aims to grab chance and seal deal for Reds

George Williams is more concerned with helping Barnsley reach the Championship than securing a new deal at Oakwell.
George Williams will concentrate on securing a play-off spot for Barnsley ahead of negotating a new contract (Picture: James Hardisty).George Williams will concentrate on securing a play-off spot for Barnsley ahead of negotating a new contract (Picture: James Hardisty).
George Williams will concentrate on securing a play-off spot for Barnsley ahead of negotating a new contract (Picture: James Hardisty).

The full-back will be out of contract in the summer, but has impressed caretaker head coach Paul Heckingbottom after spending the first half of the season on loan at Barrow.

A hamstring injury to James Bree means Williams should get another chance to shine today at second-placed Burton, as Barnsley chase a play-off spot.

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They sit three points behind sixth-placed Gillingham, after bouncing back from defeat to Chesterfield with their 2-1 midweek win against Oldham.

Williams, 23, is not worried about a new deal, he is just relishing his chance of first-team football and looking to get Barnsley promoted. “I’ve not been looking at that too much,” said Williams. “I’m just trying to do as best I can when I’m out on the pitch to help the club get into the play-offs.

“I’ve gone from playing in the reserves to loan spells and now the first team. At the minute, I’m enjoying playing in the side and we’ll see what happens after that.

“It’s not hard to maintain my enthusiasm because I just love playing football and I’m going out there to do the best I can each time.

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“On Tuesday, when I came on, the first thing that cropped up was a big tackle, which the fans love so I put myself in there.”

A Reds win today, coupled with the Gills slipping up at home to Port Vale, would see the rivals both on 68 points – the Kent side have a superior goal difference – with four games remaining.

Williams said: “It’s hard not to look at the table, but we’re only looking at who’s above us and how we can catch them. We’re on Gillingham’s heels and we need to push to keep the pressure on them.

“You never know how many wins we’ll need, but if we can get as many points as we can, I’m sure we’ll be there or thereabout.

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“The Oldham result was a really big win, everyone made sure of that.

“It was disappointing to lose against Chesterfield, but to bounce back, something we’ve been good at recently, means it’s a huge result.”