Barnsley: Adam Armstrong grateful for his chance at the Reds

After bagging a phenomenal 20 goals whilst on loan at League One Coventry City last term, Armstrong found himself making his way to Oakwell in the summer.

Being behind the likes of Dwight Gayle, Aleksander Mitrovic, Ayoze Perez and Darryl Murphy at parent club Newcastle United, the move to Yorkshire was an obvious choice for the England U20 international.

And he’s looking to repay Paul Heckingbottom and co with a second tier play-off spot.

“It’s a massive opportunity for me being at Barnsley,” admitted Armstrong, who has netted five times for the club.

“I’m playing in the Championship, the same league as Newcastle, so there’s no difference really.

“The gaffer [Rafa Benitez] told me to come here and get games, which I am, and that’s the main thing at my age.

“I’m going to keep on scoring as many goals as I can, play well, and stay fit.

“The sky’s the limit and we’ll be pushing to get as high as we can.”

Armstrong’s fifth goal of the season came at Aston Villa in midweek during the Reds’ 3-1 victory.

And the prolific frontman would love to find the back of the net later today when the Reds host Brighton and Hove Albion.

A win for Barnsley would be a double celebration for the striker, with his boyhood club embroiled in a battle for the title with the Seagulls.

Josh Scowen is expected to be out between two and four weeks due to the sprained ankle he sustained at Villa Park.

The Reds will be aiming to avenge their 2-0 defeat down at the Amex earlier in the season.

The last time Brighton got one over Barnsley at Oakwell was way back in 1991.

And Chris Hughton’s high-fliers are in the middle of their biggest slump of form during their campaign thus far, having won just once in their last five in all competitions.