Barnsley receive boost ahead of Exeter City trip as Collins provides update

Barnsley boss Neill Collins has said Adam Phillips is back available this weekend.

Barnsley are back in League One action with an away trip to Exeter City. They will be looking to build on their 4-0 win against Cambridge United last time out.

NEILL COLLINS REFLECTS ON CUP EXIT - News - Barnsley Football Club

Phillips, 25, has missed the past few fixtures due to injury. However, he is poised to return on Saturday.

Collins has provided this positive update, as per the official club website: “Adam Phillips will be back in for selection. Again, unfortunate timing. I think against Blackpool, we probably missed him, certainly having him as an option. To have him back as an option this weekend is good.”

Barnsley selection boost

Having Phillips back is a big boost for Barnsley as they look to secure another win against Exeter. He provides more competition and depth to their options in the middle of the park.

The Tykes are currently sat in 4th position in the third tier table after a steady start to the new campaign. They have 19 points on the board already and are five points off the top two.

Phillips is a key player for the Yorkshire club in midfield and joined in September last year from Burnley.

The former England youth international has made 51 appearances in all competitions to date and has chipped in with 10 assists and eight assists. He helped his current club reach the play-off final last term but was sent off in the final against Sheffield Wednesday.

Phillips has been on the books at Norwich City and Liverpool in the past but has found a home now at Barnsley.

He is under contract at Oakwell until June 2026 as he looks to help them gain promotion to the Championship in the meantime.

NEILL COLLINS AHEAD OF EXETER TRIP

Neill Collins spoke to the media to preview Saturday’s trip to Exeter City in Sky Bet League One.

ON TEAM NEWS

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“Adam Phillips will be back in for selection. Again, unfortunate timing. I think against Blackpool, we probably missed him, certainly having him as an option. To have him back as an option this weekend is good.”

ON TUESDAY RESULT

“Statistics paint different pictures. We earned that victory. You obviously put the gloss on it with the fourth goal. I have to say, in the first half I thought we were excellent, deservedly ahead at half-time by a couple of goals. It was a very good team performance and a lot of that came from the mentality of the team.”

ON TRAVEL TO EXETER

“Our local derby was Miami which was four hours drive away. When I first started playing there (America), it was a kind of derby and it was another four-and-a-half journey. They were considered the close games and short trips! So this weekend, people make abig deal of it, it’s not the end of the world! I’ll still be back in my bed late Saturday night.”

ON THE GRECIANS

“We’re very, very wary (of their start to the season). I think they’re very well coached by Gary in terms of how they play. Very attacking side, they’ve started the season great. I think even on Tuesday night, the result, Charlton were good but to get a man sent off in the fashion that they did definitely impacted the game. This will be as difficult as any of the games we’ve had. And I think coming off a defeat will make it even tougher for us.”