Hammill relishing the chance to tackle Anfield hero

The club where he spent more than a decade after joining the Anfield youth set-up at the age of just seven may be going through something of a tough time towards the bottom of the Premier League.

But that has done nothing to dim the affection of Hammill, who, Barnsley commitments permitting, can still be found from time to time cheering on the Reds from the Kop.

Such devotion means he follows any information from Merseyside with a keen interest, whether it be the latest on Fernando Torres or the recent takeover that saw George Gillett and Tom Hicks finally ousted.

Hammill also laps up any titbits of information about how any Liverpool old boys are doing, which is why today's Yorkshire derby between Barnsley and Hull City is one he has been eagerly looking forward to.

"It is going to be great to play against Nick Barmby," admits the 22-year-old former England youth international when talking to the Yorkshire Post at Oakwell.

"He is someone I remember watching play for Liverpool so it will be nice to pit my wits against him.

"He plays in the same position I play so it will be nice to watch him close up and see what he does. It can only help my game.

"Nick Barmby did really well at Anfield, he was there when we won several trophies and was involved in all those great runs in the UEFA Cup, League Cup and so on.

"I don't think he played in the FA Cup final but he did his bit in us winning a lot of trophies in that incredible season under Gerard Houllier.

"He was an integral part of that team so it will be nice to play against him.

"I also have mates who are Everton fans and remember him scoring for them against Liverpool. He is a great player and a role model. Just look at the England caps he got as well."

Typically, Hammill's memory of all things Liverpool is spot on. Barmby did, indeed, claim a winners' medal in the League Cup, scoring in the penalty shoot-out win over Birmingham.

He also played nine times during the run to the UEFA Cup final only to miss the thrilling 5-4 win over Alaves through injury, just as he did the 2-1 triumph over Arsenal in the FA Cup at the Millennium Stadium.

The former England international, 36 and in his seventh season with the Tigers, also started in the Charity Shield – the fourth of those five trophies lifted by Liverpool in 2001 – when Manchester United were beaten 2-1 in Cardiff.

Hammill left Anfield, initially on loan in February last year, to join Barnsley without having made the breakthrough into the first team.

Since then, he has justified the decision – a permanent switch followed during the summer of 2009 – by making a name for himself at Oakwell.

So consistent have his performances been this season that a week has rarely gone by of late without Hammill being linked with a possible switch to the Premier League, Blackpool and Bolton Wanderers being among the list of clubs regularly linked.

It is no wonder the former Liverpool youngster has been causing such a stir, especially this season when, at one stage in September, he netted four goals in five games.

For his part, Hammill is focused on Barnsley and a desire to keep improving with the help of manager Mark Robins.

The Reds midfielder said: "I think my season has been a mixed bag. Lately, I have had a few chances but the goalkeeper has saved them. Maybe earlier in the season, those would have gone in.

"But, overall, it has been going okay. I feel I have a lot to offer.

"Working with the manager (Mark Robins) is great and it is helping bring the best out of me. We do individual sessions and work on things I need to improve.

"He does that with all the lads and it is a win-win situation. With me, he works on my running in behind defenders rather than just waiting for the ball to feet.

"He also wants me running in at the back post when the ball is delivered from the right. It excites me as it is all about adding stuff to my game."

Hammill's scoring run – which means he already has as many goals this term as he managed in the whole of last season – included what he considers to be the favourite goal of his career.

He said: "I love a goal, whether it is from two yards or 30. It is the same feeling. But the Leeds one is probably my favourite.

"It was a derby and the atmosphere was second to none. I have never played in front of a crowd like that. We could feel the rivalry on the pitch and the tension of the fans.

"It lifted us and I think the Hull game will be similar because the fans will really get behind us. I love the derby games, they are the ones that get everyone going."

Barnsley have shown a liking for opposition from within the Broad Acres this season with the 5-2 hammering of Leeds being preceded in August by a 2-0 triumph over Middlesbrough.

Adding the scalp of Hull tonight in front of the live Sky cameras would make it a hat-trick of derby wins and Hammill admits the prospect of taking on a team who last season were in the Premier League is an exciting one.

He said: "I am really looking forward to the Hull game. Playing against the best teams is something I enjoy. It is always great to challenge myself like that.

"Having said that, I think how Burnley and Blackpool did after winning promotion shows the gulf is finally narrowing. It is not massive like it used to be. That has to be good for the Championship.

"The key thing to remember against the former Premier League clubs is that it is just 11 v 11. We have to believe in ourselves. Playing at home and being on Sky will be nice because it means we can show the world what we can do."

Barnsley v Hull City

Team news: Bobby Hassell is a doubt with the groin injury that forced the defender's withdrawal from the Barnsley side beaten 3-0 at Coventry last weekend. Paul Hayes goes straight into the squad following his midweek loan switch from Preston and could start. For Hull, former QPR and Fulham defender Liam Rosenior could start following a successful trial. Robert Koren (hamstring) is out to join Jimmy Bullard (knee), Craig Fagan (groin) and Will Atkinson (hamstring) on the sidelines. Daniel Ayala also misses the trip to Oakwell through suspension. James Harper could start for the first time in a City shirt.

Last six games: Barnsley LDLWLL, Hull City WLDDLL.

Referee: A D'urso (Essex).

Last time: Barnsley 1 Hull City 3; April 15, 2008; Championship.

SkyBet odds: Barnsley to win 6-5, Hull to win 9-4, Draw 12-5.