Teenager Stones will carry burden, says Perkins

Barnsley teenager John Stones will be one to watch in his first full season, according to team-mate David Perkins.

Stones, one of seven academy products recently handed their first professional contracts at Oakwell, is hoping to force his way into manager Keith Hill's npower Championship side on a regular basis this time round following two appearances at the end of last season. The central defender, 18, headed home Jacob Mellis's free-kick for his side's first goal in Saturday's 4-3 Capital One Cup win at Rochdale. And Perkins said: "Stonesy's been absolutely magnificent. "He's really quality and it shows. It was good to see him get on the end of a good cross."