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Sheffield Wednesday hotshot Akpo could face Reds nephew
NEW Barnsley signing Onome Sodje says he would love to face his uncle, Sheffield Wednesday striker Akpo Sodje, on the opening day of the new season.
Onome, aged 20, joined the Reds from non-league York City earlier this month.
With the club having being drawn against the Owls on the first day of the 2009-10 Championship campaign, the chance of playing against each other is a real possibility.
But Onome knows there is a lot of hard work ahead if he is going to earn himself a first-debut for Simon Davey's team - and stressed he is happy to wait for his chance.
"It would be fantastic if I got to play against my uncle, but I've just got to get my head down and work as hard as I can to try to get in the team," Onome told The Star.
"It's going to be a really big jump for me coming from York City to playing for a Championship club, but of course the opening fixture is Sheffield Wednesday so there'll be people talking about by uncle.
"He (Akpo)] has been great with me, I'm staying with him in Sheffield. It's been good to have his advice; he's told me to work hard and enjoy my football.
"He knows my ability and, like the rest of my family, he's been really supportive and told me to believe in my ability.
"There's a big gulf in class between us. He's fit and proven at Championship level, but that's great for me because I aspire to follow in his footsteps."
Onome and Akpo come from a football dynasty, with three more of the Sodje family involved in professional football.
Sam Sodje is based in Yorkshire at Leeds United, defender Efe Sodje is successful plying his trade at League Two Bury, while Steve Sodje currently plays for Ashford Town.
Another brother, Bright, used to play rugby league for Sheffield Eagles.
"Football and sport is definitely a family tradition," added Onome.
"It's good to have a footballing family; they are there to give you advice and give you encouragement when you need. it.
"We've all come from non-league football and been successful, but they don't put on pressure on me.
"They know that I can be successful, I'm just so thankful Simon Davey has given me the chance to develop at Barnsley.
"He's told me it's going to be a development year for me.
"It's going to be good working with the senior players and the younger players who are a similar age to me.
"Without doubt this is the biggest year of my career so far.
"Every season is important when you're developing, but this season is massive."
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Friday 10 February 2012
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