Valerien Ismael gives an update on Barnsley FC defender Liam Kitching

The left-sided defender, who arrived from League Two outfit Forest Green in early January, is yet to make his debut for the club and Ismael acknowledges that it has been a ‘frustrating time’ for the Harrogate-born player, who started his career at Leeds United.

But the Reds chief says that the 21-year-old will not be rushed into the first-team fray until he is at 100 per cent - for fear of him suffering a relapse.

Ismael, whose in-form side welcome Millwall to Oakwell on Saturday, said: “I think it is more months than weeks. If it is earlier, then we will be happy.

“For sure, it is a frustrating time for him at the moment. But I think he needs to learn the patience to come back and stay focused on his own fitness and this is the important thing.

“Because we need him at 100 per cent and until he reaches his goal, we need time and to work with him and take the pressure out.

“We will give him time to come back because when he comes back, we have a lot of games every three days and you have to be ready and that is why we will be careful with him.”

Victory tomorrow would see eighth-placed Barnsley pass the fifty-points milestone and eclipse the number of points that they picked up in the whole of last season.

For his part, Ismael is remaining grounded and focused against a Lions side who are unbeaten in nine league matches and also have realistic hopes of gatecrashing the Championship play-offs.

Ismael, whose side have won their last four league matches, said: “All the teams in the Championship are strong and I have never seen a weak opponent so far. Every opponent has a lot of quality and a lot of individuality to make the difference.

“You always start a game with a fifty-fifty chance to win and it will be the same tomorrow.

“But some games, you have to be focused on more options and ways to play football and tomorrow will be the case with Millwall.

“For us, it is important to start strong and have a big mentality in the game and we know exactly what we have to do.

“We have to be clinical in everything we do and have the desire to get the points.”