Hill eyeing Cup cash as he puts faith in youth

KEITH Hill admits a good run in the Capital One Cup could potentially have a ‘huge’ positive spin-off effect for him in the transfer market later on this season.
By Leon Wobschall
Published 11th Aug 2012, 08:01 BST

It is no secret that the playing budget is tight at Oakwell and with little money available for new recruits, the Barnsley chief must work within his means.

Injury problems to the likes of Mido, Toni Silva and Luke Steele have stretched Hill’s resources further ahead of his first return 
to Spotland for today’s first 
round encounter at Rochdale, which also sees Scott Wiseman and Matt Done return to their former side.

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The Reds have bowed out at this stage in three of their last four years, although, significantly, in the season that did not happen in 2009-10, they made it through to the fourth round where they entertained Manchester United in a televised tie which attracted a bumper gate of 20,019.

Hill, set to keep faith with several young talents who have impressed during pre-season, said: “Financially, a cup run could help me in the later stages of the season.

“If we start rolling into a good cup run, the financial benefits for me as a manager could be huge.”

On today’s likely line-up, former Rochdale manager Hill commented: “We’ve got to show the players we’ve got and who we have trusted in pre-season matches the respect they deserve and they will be given their opportunity.

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“We have a little bit of illness and a few injuries, but there will be no hard luck stories.

“It is what it is and we’ll be dealing with it on the training pitch and we’ve got a united squad and we’re going to got out there to make the best impact by winning a football match.”

Summer signings Mido and Silva head the list of Reds’ absentees, while goalkeeper Steele, still not back in training, is also absent with Hill unsure when he will return. Scott Golbourne and Stephen Dawson are also ‘highly unlikely’ to feature.

Rochdale could include former Huddersfield midfielder Ian Craney and Ray Putterill, who have joined on non-contract terms and Dele Adebola their competitive debuts.

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They are without young striker Reece Gray, who is out until the new year with a dislocated ankle and fractured tibula.

Last six games: Rochdale LLLWLL, Barnsley DLLLDL.

Last time: Rochdale 2 Barnsley 1, League Cup first round, August 20, 1996.

Referee: Gary Sutton (Lincolnshire).

SkyBet odds: Rochdale to win 21-10; Barnsley to win 11-10; Draw 13-5.

Related topics:Keith HillRochdaleBarnsleyOakwell