Doncaster Rovers v Barnsley: Southern pride at stake as Reds eye Howard for Oakwell return

The Tykes visit Doncaster Rovers in the Championship tonight seeking to re-ignite their season.

Since beating Sheffield United at Oakwell last month, Barnsley have collected only five points from six games and have edged closer to the relegation zone than the play-off spots.

Victory tonight, however, would lift the club above Rovers in the table and give their supporters the bragging rights in the south of the county.

Robins, who joined Barnsley from League Two neighbours Rotherham United last season, said: "We are in South Yorkshire and we want to be the top team in South Yorkshire. No doubt about that.

"This game is important for a few reasons," he added. "There are local bragging rights at stake for both the players and supporters."

Robins admits that his side have a tough week with tonight's local derby coming just three days before a trip to Millwall on Friday night.

But the former Sheffield Wednesday and Manchester United striker hopes a return to winning ways will trigger a surge up the table.

"This is a difficult week in terms of recovery but there is a lot more to come from us," he said. "We had three players missing (last weekend) who had played in every minute of every game this season but we still gave Swansea a really good game. We did not get the rub of the green and that cost us the extra two points.

"We would like to earn three points at Doncaster. If we do, it will kickstart us because we have had two or three games now where we have picked up less points than we have deserved."

Centre-backs Jason Shackell and Stephen Foster will both be back from suspension tonight, but the third player referred to by Robins is winger Adam Hammill who has been sold to Wolves.

For Shackell, tonight's game will have added significance due to the fact that he spent six months on loan with Rovers from Wolves last season and was also offered a permanent move to the Keepmoat Stadium by manager Sean O'Driscoll

Barnsley were able to offer the 27-year-old better personal terms, however, so Shackell opted for a move to Oakwell instead last summer.

Shackell is still friends with Rovers' Billy Sharp and will be handed the duty of keeping the striker quiet tonight.

Although Rovers have suffered three consecutive defeats – against Reading, Wolves and Ipswich – Sharp has bagged six goals in his last six games.

Robins said: "Billy Sharp is on absolute fire, scoring goals left, right and centre so we have to make sure he doesn't get too much room. He and Jason are firm friends and get on well and they have been giving each other stick this week."

Expressing his admiration for Rovers, Robins said: "Doncaster have had a tremendous season and have done well for a number of seasons now. They have brought in some players of calibre this season and they are looking to move on. I am not surprised how well they have done. Under Sean O'Driscoll, they have been consistently improving year on year."

Barnsley defender Bobby Hassell is predicting a 'typical derby' clash tonight, saying: "All the games between the clubs have been close over the last two years. This will be a typical derby, it will probably start off at a high tempo with a few tackles going in, and then it will settle down. They are conceding a lot of goals at the moment but we are not scoring a great deal.

"We are going there to take three points and get back to winning ways – and there's no better place to start than against your local rivals."

Hassell is unhappy with the club's fixture schedule but says the players are fit enough to cope with the demands of three games in the space of just six days.

"I don't know why the fixtures have worked out like this. It is going to be tough but that's why we do pre-season and why we are paid to keep fit." he added.

Defender Matt Hill is joining Barnsley on a permanent deal until the end of the season from Wolves but Robins is still working on other possible deals, including a return to Oakwell for former captain Brian Howard.

The midfielder is currently on the bench at Reading and would be an immensely popular signing with the Barnsley supporters thanks to his role in the club's FA Cup adventure three seasons ago.

""I have learned not to expect anything in the transfer window but you never know," said Robins. "We are working hard and we will have to see what happens. It is not a massive thing for a club like ours because the loan window re-opens a week later."

Midfielder Paul Keegan could make his home debut for Rovers tonight after sitting on the bench at Ipswich following his arival from Irish club Bohemians.

Last six games: Rovers LWWDLL, Barnsley LLDWLD.

Last time: Rovers 0 Barnsley 1; October 17, 2009; Championship.

Referee: M Haywood (West Yorkshire).