CONOR McCarthy is delighted to be playing regularly for Barnsley again after a frustrating two-year wait for league action following a serious injury.

The Irish defender, 26, is one of the longest-serving players at the club, having arrived in the summer of 2022 just days after Luca Connell with only Josh Benson being in the first team set-up longer. But he suffered a serious knee injury in September 2022 and was out for a year – acting as an ‘education ambassador’ for the club’s charity – then did not play another league match for the Reds for more than another year, with a loan to League Two Swindon last season. He has made 12 league appearances this campaign, including two starts this week due to Mael de Gevigney’s ban.

McCarthy, who is out of contract in the summer, told the Chronicle: “It was worth the wait.

“I love playing for this football club, I know what it means for the local community.

“That’s never changed since I made my debut at Plymouth away under Michael Duff. I have loved it and I am hoping to play as much as I can from now until the end of the season because I think it’s a fantastic football club.”

McCarthy is generally pleased with his performances since breaking back into the league team in December.

“Players will talk a good game and say why they should be playing but, when your chance comes, you need to take it. I never look too far ahead. I am very process-driven and not outcome-orientated, and it’s about the day in, day out. Thankfully the chance did come for me.

“Don’t get me wrong, it is frustrating at times. A lot of lads will tell you that when you’re not playing because all you want to do is be out on that pitch in the big games.

“But I pride myself on my mentality and professionalism which meant, when the chance came, I was able to grab it.”