Reds are banking on victory to finance recruits

The Reds managing director has confirmed that the recently-installed Oakwell chief will be guaranteed loan funds to boost the club’s Championship survival fight come what may, but a juicy last 16 tie in the next round would provide him with added financial clout.

Barnsley have already banked £67,500 from their third round win over Burnley, with a further £90,000 up for grabs for the victors of today’s Yorkshire derby, alongside a possible money-spinning tie against a Premier League side in tomorrow’s fifth-round draw.

He said: “If we did get through and then got a big draw – which, at the minute, we can only dream about – obviously it would help us tremendously.

“It would be good for the club, both financially and in terms of confidence.

“We had said to David we will try and give funds for loan signings anyway but, obviously, a big cup draw would help as well.”

Barnsley and the Tigers may not quite bookmark the Championship but are at opposite ends of the table.

That said, the fixture is not quite the foregone conclusion many would have thought it was a month ago when the Reds were plumbing the depths and in desperate need of a lift.

It is fair to say Barnsley have generated if not a fully-blown wind in their sails since, certainly a stiff breeze with Flitcroft boasting a three-game unbeaten run going into today’s tie.

Within that, the Lancastrian helped instigate Barnsley’s first FA Cup win since their thrilling run to the semi-finals in 2007-08 when they beat the Clarets in round three to register their first home victory of any sort since September 1 with an excellent Oakwell triumph over Leeds United subsequently following.

Barnsley are attempting to build on their feelgood factor today at a venue where they produced a meek performance in the league encounter in early November when they lost 1-0.

Rowing said: “The buzz is coming back into the club, thanks to the cup win over Burnley and the two tremendous results in the Championship and, hopefully, we can keep it going.

“The Hull game is very winnable, particularly with it being in the FA Cup where anything can happen.”

Flitcroft is working on several transfer leads, with a striker and a central midfielder – to cover injured duo Stephen Dawson and Jim O’Brien – top of the list.

But as it stands, significant progression has not ben made, with ‘nothing concrete’ yet regarding any move for free agent Jason Scotland, according to Rowing.

He added: “David is working at things. At the moment, we are coming up with blanks. But a lot of it is waiting for other managers to make decisions to let players go.”