Fitness problems stack up for Hill

Barnsley boss Keith Hill has only "12 senior players currently training", plus the Academy youngsters, for the visit of Bristol City.

Key first-team regulars David Perkins, Luke Steele, Matty Done, Jimmy McNulty and Jim O'Brien are all expected to be out until after the international break, while summer signings Mido and Toni Silva have yet to play a competitive game after suffering hamstring injuries in pre-season. With Paul Digby, Reuben Noble-Lazarus and Rob Edwards also on the sidelines, the number of players unavailable to Hill has run into double figures. Ben Alnwick will continue in goal after he returned from a three-match suspension in Tuesday's Capital One Cup defeat at Swansea, while leading scorer Craig Davies will be partnered in attack by Marlon Harewood, who was a substitute in midweek. Club stalwart Bobby Hassell and Martin Cranie are pressing for a start after impressing against the Welsh side. "We remain the same as we were in terms of the injured players," Hill told Press Association Sport. "Nothing has cleared up. We have 12 senior players currently training, plus the young lads such as John Stones, Danny Rose and Jordan Clark. "Fortunately the international break is just around the corner and that might help us. I am also thinking of utilising the loan market when that opens back up."