Canadian international Hume is waiting for the call to face the Owls in South Yorkshire derby

The Canadian international, who suffered a fractured skull last season, has been on the bench for Barnsley's last 12 games.

While 'disappointed' with his absence from the starting line-up, Hume, a 1.2m signing two summers ago, insists that he is 100 per cent fit and raring to go.

After a solid second-half performance as substitute in the 3-1 defeat at Coventry City this weekend, Hume said: "Although I have not been playing it is not because of the head injury – it is because the other players have been doing well. The manager knows I am 100 per cent fit and ready to play for him when I get back in the team.

"I am a little bit disappointed that I have not been playing but the lads have been winning," he added. "I had 45 minutes today and, fingers crossed, that has put me in good stead for next week."

Although Barnsley suffered a second consecutive defeat at Coventry, after losing to Scunthorpe United in the third round of the FA Cup, Hume says there is no reason for the club to lose confidence after climbing rapidly up the league table since the arrival of manager Mark Robins four months ago.

"We have turned it around big-time this season and we have to keep that going," he stressed.

"If we had won today we would have been four points off the play-offs. That tells you everything because we were struggling when he came in.

"We are going to have a bad weekend thanks to this defeat but we have a game to look forward to which is a big one for the fans.

"Being a Yorkshire derby is a little extra carrot. We have got a lot to fight for in that game with local pride as well as three points at stake."

Robins, meanwhile, reiterated his desire to freshen up his side but admitted he would need to generate his own funds.

Winger Jamal Campbell-Ryce, who has been unable to command a place in the side under Robins, is the player most likely to attract interest among those who Barnsley are prepared to let go.