Davis Keillor-Dunn is ‘dying to score past’ his former club Wrexham who will be looking for a first ever win at Oakwell in their 17th attempt when they visit on New Year’s Day.

Barnsley are seventh in League One, one point and one place off the top six.

Phil Parkinson’s Wrexham are second, a point off top and 12 clear of the Reds.

Barnsley forward Keillor-Dunn had a short stint at the North Wales club in 2020.

Keillor-Dunn told the Chronicle: “I played a couple of games for them. It was in the Covid season which got cut shot then I signed for Oldham after that.

“It’s a really good club. They have a lot of positivity around the club and hopefully we can dampen it.

“I have been dying to score past them since I left so hopefully it comes in this game.”

Head coach Darrell Clarke added: “They are right up there having a cracking first half of the season. They will be delighted. We want a home win and there is no better game to have one in.”

Barnsley have won two of their 11 home league games this season and taken 15 points from 17 games there since February.

Clarke said: “I think a lot of it is mental. We’re not doing huge things different. 2024 has been disastrous at home and let’s put it right in 2025. I know the fans will get right behind us. We want to send some of our home fans happy for a change.”

Wrexham are unbeaten in their last nine games, with seven wins.

No side has a better defensive record in the division than Wrexham who have let in just 16 goals in 23 games.

While they have the best home record in the division, their ten away games have brought just 13 points. They have won one of their last six on the road.

Wrexham are looking for a third straight promotion under Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney who have also made a hit documentary charting their rise from the National League where they spent 15 seasons until last year.

Wrexham have former Oakwell colleagues Elliott Lee and Matty James.

The Welsh club have lost 12 times in Barnsley – including their first nine trips – and drawn four.

Their last visit was a 2-2 draw in April 2005 with Michael Chopra and Danny Nardiello netted for the hosts.

There has never been an away win in 33 meetings between the two clubs.

Barnsley have only won one of the last eight meetings, and none of the last four.

They met four weeks earlier in Wales, with Oliver Rathbone scoring a fine injury-time goal in a 1-0 home win after a dull game.