MAEL de Gevigney was annoyed that his aim to play every minute of this season was ruined by an ankle problem last month which is still troubling him despite returning to the side.
The French defender had played every minute of 63 successive matches across 15 months – the longest such run by an outfield Reds player since Nicky Eaden in the 1990s – but missed the losses to Stevenage and Wycombe before returning for the last two games.
De Gevigney told the Chronicle: “It was annoying. I wanted to play all of this season. I have never been injured here, like everybody else I think. But I rolled my ankle and tore two ligaments.
“I wanted to get back as early as I could for the team, even if I am still in a bit of pain. I am doing my best and I just want to help the team. When I play, I don’t really think about the pain.”
Barnsley are due to host Huddersfield on Saturday. The Terriers are in the lowest play-off place, six points clear of the Reds who have taken just a point from five matches.
Mael said: “It’s a really important game for us, especially after the last few games. We need to do everything to win this game and close the gap between us and the play-offs.
“Bad runs happen in a season.
“We have 16 games coming, we know it’s not going to be easy but we have the players, staff and club to be in the play-offs. We will do everything to make it.”
De Gevigney is looking forward to coming up against Herbie Kane who moved from Oakwell to Huddersfield last summer. He said: “He’s a familiar face. Herbie is a very good player.
“He was very good with us this year and he’s helping Huddersfield to be in the first part of the table. I wish him the best but not on Saturday.”
De Gevigney has played a back three for most of the season but the Reds changed to a back four in their defeat at Stockport. He said: “It was a good option, when you look at the players we have got – the four good midfielders and the players for a back four. But we didn’t make it work by winning the duels.
“We didn’t win anything in the first half. We changed in the second half but we changed our mindset and that’s why it was better.”
De Gevigney has been joined during the January transfer window by fellow French-speakers Neil Farrugia and Clement Rodrigues. Mael joked that he had ‘signed a new contract as a translator for the club’ and added: “It’s nice for me to speak French in the dressing room, it’s easier. I am happy for Clement.
“He’s happy, he’s settling in. I had heard about him but never met him.
“I didn’t really know him but now I do.
“I am just trying to help because I know it’s difficult to go to a new country.
“But the club is helping him too and it’s going to be alright.
“His English is not the best at the moment but he’s doing his best to learn.”
