DANIEL Nardiello will be on the bench at Blackpool tomorrow, itching to get at Barnsley.
The former Oakwell favourite wants nothing more than to make his debut against his previous employers.
Blackpool have so far seen very little of the ex-Man-chester United trainee. Injury has kept him out of all five of their games so far.
But debuts bring happy memories for the 25-year-old. He scored twice against Blackpool in his first appearance for Barnsley in January 2004.
"I remember that game very clearly and obviously for me it was a great afternoon," he said.
"I hope I can repeat it, though with Blackpool getting the benefit this time."
Nardiello has been at Blackpool since July after signing from QPR.
His move to the London club last summer never worked out and he ended the season on loan at Barnsley.
He played his first game for Blackpool reserves this week and fired a sizzling shot into the top corner from 20 yards early in the contest to set up victory over Preston.
It's very unlikely to be enough to earn a first-team game tomorrow.
Blackpool gained their first win of the season at Southampton a fortnight ago and manager Simon Grayson will keep that team together, including strikers Ben Burgess and Steve Kabba.
"I would be absolutely delighted to play a part in the game," admitted Nardiello.
"I was at Barnsley a long time and I have a lot of friends there.
"Obviously it was a good time for me because we got promoted to the Championship and then managed to stay up.
"I had a brilliant time at the club and I was settled there. In the end. it was just time for me to move on and go on to different things.
"The only thing important to me, now, though is Blackpool FC. I really want to prove myself here and score some goals. It has been a nightmare start so far in terms of getting injured straight after joining.
"But I've settled in now, I've watched all our games and felt we've played really well. I'm just hoping I can push my way into the first 11 and hopefully I'll be involved, either from the start or from the bench."
Nardiello watched from Barnsley's bench the last time the teams met at Bloomfield Road. A goal from Jamal Campbell-Ryce earned Barnsley a point last season.
Barnsley went on to to defeat Blackpool twice at Oakwell, in the league and FA Cup.
Blackpool from: Rachubka, Barker, Edwards, Evatt, Camara,Taylor-Fletcher, Coid, Fox, Rehman, Jorgensen, Hammill, Vaughan, Burgess, Kabba, Gilks, Aluko, Nardiello.
Barnsley from: Steele, Foster, Moore, Souza, Kozluk, El Haimour, Odejayi, Colace, Hassell, Howard, Devaney, Hume, Macken, Mostto, Muller,Van Homoet, Campbell-Ryce, Teale.
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