Reds new boy out to make his mark

New Barnsley signing Callum Connolly is chomping at the bit to make his mark for his new loan club.
Barnsley's caretaker mananger Paul HeckingbottomBarnsley's caretaker mananger Paul Heckingbottom
Barnsley's caretaker mananger Paul Heckingbottom

The Everton defender joined the Reds yesterday on an initial one month loan deal.

And the highly-rated 18-year-old is expected to be handed his debut away to Walsall this afternoon as the Reds look to keep their play-off challenge on track.

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“Barnsley is massive club with a great playing style, so I can’t wait to get started. I’m looking forward to it,” said Connolly.

“I got the call from Roberto Martinez the other night and he said it would be a great opportunity for me. Hopefully I can do well here.

“Obviously John Stones and Mason Holgate both came from Barnsley. I spoke to them both and they both said they loved it.

“I’m just really looking forward to playing league football and experiencing it week-in, week-out.

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“Hopefully I’ll benefit from the experience and taking it back to Everton with me.

“The level is a high standard, I witnessed that from my first training session.

“And I can tell all the lads are high in confidence. The mood is very positive, so hopefully I can help continue that.”

Meanwhile, Reds’ caretaker head coach Paul Heckingbottom is sweating on the fitness of star striker Sam Winnall, who is nursing an ankle injury.

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And defender James Bree is expected to miss out this weekend having picked up a hamstring strain in the club’s 2-0 home win over Coventry City on Tuesday night.

“We’ll have to see with Sam and whether the swelling on his ankle goes down, but we more or less know with James that with that sort of injury he can’t push on,” revealed Heckingbottom.