Doyle is keen to make most of second chance

Doyle was loaned out to League One side Preston North End before Christmas but has started the last four games as the Tykes attempt to put the brakes on a slide down the table.

Out of contract in the summer, his performances in the remaining eight games are now likely to go a long way to determining whether or not he is offered a new deal.

“Who knows what the future will bring? Football is changing all the time,” he said. “You see different managers and players going elsewhere week after week.

“You have to look to the future sometimes regarding contracts and stuff. If you are playing well, it all takes care of itself. As long as you keep doing well you are in the shop window. It benefits everybody if I play well.”

The Tykes, who today host Peterborough United, have lost all four games since Doyle’s return to the side but the former Hull City midfielder insists that results have not reflected the quality of the performances.

“It would be scary if we were not playing well – but we did well against Southampton, Middlesbrough, and in the first half against Reading,” he said. “These are all teams in the top three but sometimes a lack of concentration or individual errors doesn’t get us the results or puts us a goal down when we should be a goal up. We just have to keep taking the positives and look for that win.”

Reflecting on his side’s last minute defeat at Crystal Palace in midweek, he said: “The result was a sickener. I spoke to a few of their lads after the game and they were all asking how they had won the game? For us to get praise and play off the park a team that hasn’t lost in 10 games is credit to us.”

Doyle’s return has come after injuries to Jacob Butterfield, David Perkins and Bobby Hassell and the loss of loan signing Danny Drinkwater to Leicester City.

Other midfielders including Michael Tonge, David Cotterill and Korey Smith joined the club on loan but have failed to sparkle on a consistent enough basis.

“If you take three key players out of any team in the world it’s not going to be easy,” said Doyle. “I enjoyed my time at Preston but you come back and hope your experience can help Barnsley Football Club.”