DONOVAN Pines could potentially be involved in the opening week of Barnsley’s season while Fabio Jalo and Josh Benson are making progress in their return from injury.

Pines has been building up his fitness all summer after surgery in March.

The American centre-back played in a friendly against AS Roma on Tuesday.

Head coach Clarke told the Chronicle: “Donovan has been a steady build.

“He got an important 45 minutes in against Roma.

“We’re just building him up and making sure we’re careful.

“But also we want to get him back as quickly as possible because the fans saw a little bit of him last year and want to see more of him.

“If he can’t be involved in the first game, maybe the Wigan game (in the EFL Cup on Tuesday). We have competition for places in the back line.”

Striker Jalo injured his shoulder in last week’s friendly against Derby County. Clarke said: “He is seeing a specialist then we will have more of a timeline. It’s disappointing because he was really really fit in pre-season. He’s going to be a big player and is a huge talent. He will miss at least a few weeks.”

Midfielder Benson pulled out of an earlier friendly at Accrington Stanley with a hamstring problem.

“Josh has really stepped up his rehab. We are hoping he is only a couple of weeks away.”