ADAM Phillips says ‘I love playing my football for Barnsley’ after remaining at the club following some speculation over his future during the summer transfer window.

There is thought to have been interest in the goal-scoring midfielder throughout the window, which shut on Friday, but the Reds insisted all along that they would not sell.

Phillips told the Chronicle: “There was always going to be interest.

“I had quite a good season last season.

“There was nothing set in stone where I was going to leave.

“I am quite happy here. I love playing my football for Barnsley.

“I am looking forward to doing well this season, hopefully getting the club where they want to be.

“We are not talking about promotions yet, but we have the quality to challenge at the top of the league.”

Phillips’ previous two seasons at Barnsley have seen him score ten then 12 goals but he has not got off the mark in either until November at the earliest.

He has scored three goals in the first four league games this season, following a strike at home to Northampton last week with a brace at Crawley on Saturday.

“It’s definitely good to get those first few goals early. I have had a really good pre-season. I looked after myself and felt fit. The manager told me to work harder and get fitter.

“I am pleased with the start and want to add to that tally.

“For the last few years, I haven’t started the season through moving teams or being suspended. So it’s nice to be up and running.”

Phillips is enjoying player under head coach Darrell Clarke.

“He’s tried to sign me at a couple of other clubs. He wants me to look after myself more. He’s massive on the last 15 minutes of games where I can be slow and lazy.

“He’s worked me hard all summer and that’s benefited me because I’ve started the season well.”

Phillips is one of a host of central midfield options for Clarke including player/coach Conor Hourihane.

“There is competition for places which is healthy. We all have to make sure we’re at it. It’s not good for the manager because he can only pick three players there.

“Conor is massive for us, he helps us a lot. He’s played at a really good level. We’re taking bits from him.”

Barnsley pressed Crawley into regular errors on Saturday.

Phillips said: “They look to have a lot of the ball, you can see that in the stats. But we stuck to our gameplan and created a lot of chances.

“You can have a lot of possession but it’s about the scoreline.”