JON RUSSELL is hoping for a strong end to the season with Barnsley which potentially will take him into an international tournament with Jamaica in the summer.
The midfielder is understood to have turned down a call-up with the Reggae Boyz in March to stay with the Reds who, at that point, still had an outside chance of the League One play-offs.
They now look set for a mid-table finish but Russell is set to complete a strong season, starting nearly every game since October and taking his goals tally to eight with a brace against Bolton on Saturday.
Jamaica – managed by former England boss Steve McClaren – have two World Cup qualifiers in June then the CONCACAF Gold Cup later that month in the USA and Canada.
Russell told the Chronicle: “I definitely want to play in the games this summer.
“I really want to be a part of that and make a name for myself in Jamaica and help that team as much as I help Barnsley.
“I hope the manager sees that and puts me in the squad.”
On his decision to stay and play for interim boss Conor Hourhane, Russell said: “Con was really grateful. I had a conversation with him, he wanted me to stay for the last few games.
“I made the decision to help the team.
“I was starting and playing well and didn’t want to miss games here.”
The 4-1 win over Bolton was Barnsley’s first in seven games and they now have four to play.
Russell said: “We want to end on a high. We don’t want to keep losing at home. Fans pay their money to come here and we want to win for them.
“We want to end positively then look towards next season.”
Russell has played far more football this season than in his first two Oakwell campaigns, after signing in January 2023. He has been used in a more attacking role after being mainly a holding midfielder previously.
“It was tough trying to break into a winning team then the second season I played about half the games in a defensive role. This has suited me, to help the team out and get my stats higher.
“It’s allowed me to be box to box, drive forward and have freedom.
“I am enjoying getting forward and causing problems for the other team.
“I hope to stick to doing that.”
The other two goals on Saturday were scored by teenager Fabio Jalo.
Russell said: “We’re all happy for him. He worked really hard for the team.
“Everyone was complimenting him on how well he did and how much he helped the team. He showed composure and good finishing for the second and made the box for the first.
“We’re all really happy for him and we hope he keeps it up.”
