How goalkeeper Brad Collins aims to wrestle Barnsley No 1 spot from team-mate Jack Walton

As it was, he never had a save to make in his side’s 1-0 win over the best team in the Championship, which set up a fifth-round tie at home to the club where Collins started his career, Chelsea.

For the 23-year-old, cup games have been a treat this season but he hopes to reclaim his Championship spot from Jack Walton too.

With that in mind, he could perhaps have done with more of a workout from a Norwich side who hit the crossbar through Przemyslaw Placheta but generally lacked a cutting edge in the face of a home performance better than the scoreline suggested.

If that was how he saw it, though, he was hiding it well.

“Norwich are a very good team, top of the Championship, but the boys were unbelievable, the way we attacked and defended as a whole, we deserved to win,” he said. “I woke up expecting a busy day and the back five helped me out massively so I’m buzzing for them, they were unbelievable and deserved the clean sheet.”

Collins lost first-choice status to Jack Walton after last season’s Covid-19 hibernation.

He played in both League Cup ties this season – the second a 6-0 thumping at Chelsea – and at Middlesbrough in the league, but his only appearances for Valerien Ismael have come in the FA Cup. He has kept clean sheets in both.

“I haven’t had my chance in the league yet (this season), just the one game when (previous coach Gerhard) Struber was here, so the FA Cup has given me a chance to show what I’m about to this gaffer,” he said.

“I’m young and I want to play. I understand there are going to be times in my career when I do have to sit on the bench but I’m looking to play football in the second half of the season.”

That was not, however, a hint he is looking for a loan move.

“I want to play football for Barnsley Football Club, so that’s the main aim,” he insisted.

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