Barnsley: Super sub Scowen has sights on Wembley call

Josh Scowen with Barnsley boss Paul Heckingbottom

The Reds got back to winning ways against Fleetwood on Saturday with Scowen coming off the bench to nod home his fifth goal of the season.

The 22-year-old returned to action at the end of January after 11 weeks on the sidelines with an ankle ligament injury.

But he has been limited to a playing a bit-part role behind Conor Hourihane and Josh Brownhill in the pecking order, something he is eager to change as soon as possible.

“It’s everyone who’s not been playing’s goal trying to get into that Wembley team but if we keep winning it’s going to be hard,” he admitted.

“I’ll keep trying, doing what I do on the training field and try and force my way in.

“It’s nice to get my first goal since being back from injury, hopefully I can get a few more before the end of the season.

“It’s been tough but I can’t say much really when you’ve got Conor and Browny playing the way they have been.

“All I’ve got to do is keep going and if my chance does come then I’ve got to try and take it and do my best.”

With 12 wins in 15 games Paul Heckingbottom has been unwilling to tinker too much with a winning side, and Scowen has had to try and make an impact off the bench more often than not.

And the caretaker boss admitted that the former Wycombe man has been unlucky not to get more game time since coming back into the fold.

“Josh was arguably our best player at the start of the season and he was unfortunate to get his injury when he did,” said Heckingbottom.

“No-one works harder and knowing we’ve got someone like him on the bench to bring on whenever you need him and wherever you want him to play is fantastic. I’m delighted that he got the goal.”

Scowen and his team-mates met hundreds of supporters yesterday afternoon as the squad turned out in full at the Alhambra Shopping Centre.

Fans were able to talk to their idols and pose for pictures alongside the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, which the Reds will be aiming to get their hands on when they play Oxford in the final at Wembley on Sunday April 3.