DARRELL Clarke has confirmed Matty Wolfe is no longer contracted to Barnsley but the club are still helping him recover from a major injury sustained almost two years ago.
The 24-year-old midfielder, who came through the Reds academy from primary school age then played 33 first team games, suffered a serious knee injury in January last year and has not yet fully recovered.
Wolfe was mentioned on the club’s retained list last summer as someone who had been offered a contract, and the Chronicle understands it was a short-term deal while he rebuilt his fitness.
Head coach Clarke told the Chronicle: “Matty comes in for a few days and does a bit of work with our rehab team.
“It’s obviously been very frustrating.
“I have spoken to him a couple of times, he’s a great kid.
“He’s not under contract with ourselves. He’s just getting himself fit and prepared to try to play football again.
“It’s been a long road for Matty and we wish him all the best.
“The club has done right by the player but, with no disrespect, I never thought for one minute that Matty would be able to probably get in my first team squad especially with the amount of midfielders we have already got at the club.”
Striker Sam Cosgrove has missed the last two games with a back problem.
Clarke said: “Sam is ticking over and doing some training so we will assess him for Friday.”
Barry Cotter was left out of the FA Cup squad at the weekend, but not due to injury. The right wing-back then limped off in an under 21s game on Tuesday.
Top-scorer Adam Phillips returned from injury on Saturday at Port Vale, scoring a late penalty as a substitute.
Clarke said: “Phillo had been carrying a problem and we looked at his performances before we got to the bottom of it, although he was putting his body on the line for the club. Now he’s getting back to his best and training well.”
Clarke changed his goalkeeper for the last two games, dropping Chelsea loanee Gaga Slonina and starting Ben Killip.
“Ben had to be patient to wait for an opportunity. He’s come in and done very well. Hopefully he keeps building on that and we can keep building as a team.
“It doesn’t matter if I have signed them or they have been here two years or five years, everyone has to earn the shirt.
“Some players have dips in form and have to come back stronger. Gaga will do that but it’s Ben’s opportunity.
“Gaga has been spot on. He’s a great ‘keeper and will have a top career. I can’t speak highly enough of his attitude and professionalism. He’s only 20, and he will be stronger when he plays again.”
The Reds are currently eighth in the League One table with 22 points from 13 games, a point off the top six and seven behind the top two.
They have had two weeks off from league games, having taken seven points from their last three.
After an EFL Trophy defeat at home to Doncaster Rovers then a 3-1 win at Port Vale in the FA Cup first round on Saturday, they are due to host near neighbours Rotherham United in the league on Friday.
Clarke said: “I am happy with the last four performances, minus the trophy.
“But I am not in the business of being complacent.
“If you are, a kick in the nasties is round the corner. You have to keep fully focused. I never have players sitting on their laurels. It’s about standards and, when they drop, that is not tolerated.
“Performances have been better but we have to keep chipping away and working on areas that need to be better.”
After Friday's derby, the Reds are due to visit Cambridge United on Saturday, November 16 – which is currently expected to be on despite some international call-ups – before hosting Wigan Athletic a week later.
They then host Reading on Tuesday, November 26 and welcome Bristol Rovers in the FA Cup second round on the final weekend of the month.
