Video: Barnsley boss Johnson on Sheffield Wednesday loanee

Johnson has been forced to enter the loan market ahead of Saturday’s trip to League One champions-elect Bristol City with Adam Davies out with an abductor tear, joining regular number one Ross Turnbull on the sidelines.

Johnson admits that he and his staff scrutinised countless potential short-term goalkeeping signings and even contemplated re-registering Crossley, who is 46 in June and whose last professional game was over five years ago in January 2010.

England U20 international Wildsmith, who spent a brief loan spell at non-league Alfreton last term, is set to be sworn in for a quick-fire bow against the Robins.

Johnson said: “We have brought young Joe in on the goalkeeping front. Adam Davies has got a slight abductor tear which is not ideal, but we can’t really risk it getting any worse.

“It’s a good signing for us. Joe has got a really good reputation. Obviously Mark Crossley has worked with him at close hand, coming from Sheffield Wednesday and it’s a real good challenge for him to show what he is about.

“We contemplated even registering Mark Crossley because (Christian) Dibble in on international duty, the number one is out for the season and Davies is out for a couple of weeks.”

Dibble, third-choice keeper at Oakwell this term, may yet be involved in the clash at Ashton Gate, most likely on the bench, against Johnson’s former club if they can get reach a solution with Wales U21s, with the keeper involved in Tuesday’s clash with Bulgaria.