Dane Murphy's message to Barnsley FC supporters ahead of Chelsea tie

It should have been a truly special Cup occasion where, under normal circumstances, a full house would have greeted Barnsley’s players - regardless of whether the tie was selected for live TV coverage or not.

Instead, it will be eerily empty aside from players, officials from both clubs and those working at the fifth-round tie.

Despite the painful situation, the club has a chance to showcase Barnsley in a positive light and for the players to show how far they have come in an eventful past 12 months, according to Murphy.

On the absence of supporters, which will be keenly felt, Murphy told The Yorkshire Post: “It is tough. It makes it difficult without the fans.

"But what I am most happy about - and proud about for the club - is that we are able to provide a match for our supporters that they can look forward to and take pride in and say that our club is going head to head at home with one of the biggest clubs in the country.

“Of course, we wanted the place packed out with our fans and it hurts us all that cannot happen, but it is another opportunity to show how far we have come as a club in what we are trying to achieve.

“We are excited for the game.”

Admitting he is gutted that no home supporters will be present, captain Alex Mowatt added: “It is gutting that they are not allowed on this big night.

“I think the fans would like the way the gaffer plays as well in pressing high and get behind that. It was like that when (Daniel) Stendel was here and we were pressing high and they really got behind us."

The midfielder was part of the Reds side who crashed out of the Carabao Cup in a 6-0 exit at Chelsea in September and is confident that Thursday’s tie will not prove as one-sided.

He added: “It is at Oakwell and a lot different to what they are used to, I am sure.

“In that game, I thought we were good for 25 minutes and still thought we played some good stuff.

“But when you go 1-0 or 2-0 down, it is really tough and they keep the ball and the ball was unbelievable there and so massive. Hopefully, it is different at Oakwell."