BARNSLEY’S deadline day signings Adam Phillips and Tom Edwards are ‘good characters’ who will improve competition in the squad, says head coach Michael Duff.

Phillips signed on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee from Burnley.

The 24-year-old has been at Blackburn, Liverpool, Norwich and the Clarets without playing for their first teams.

He has been loaned three times to Morecambe, last season netting six goals and adding eight assists in League One.

Edwards, 23, has played 46 games for Stoke City in the Premier League and Championship before spending the last two years in the MLS with Gerhard Struber’s New York Red Bulls.

His loan to the US was cut short so that he could sign for the Reds on loan for the rest of the season.

Duff told the Chronicle: “Pato (coach Martin Paterson) has a really good connection with Tom from the Stoke connection. I know Adam from the Burnley connection.

“They tick a lot of boxes for the club in terms of data but, from my point of view, they are two solid characters with a little bit of experience.

“Tom has played in the Premier League, and a lot in the Championship, he can play in two or three positions.

“Adam is a six foot, goal-scoring midfielder, who is physically and technically good. We think they are two excellent players.”

Edwards was an unused substitute on Saturday with Phillips in the stands.

“There was an issue with Adam’s registration which is why he wasn’t involved at the weekend. He’s fit and ready.

“He has been training every day at Burnley. He is not in match shape but I know the intensity at Burnley will be good and he’ll be fine.

“Tom is slightly different in terms of he played a lot but not for the last month.

“We’re having to guess because we can’t get information out of New York.

“They both look bright in training.”