Silva lining for Barnsley

Manager Simon Davey plans further talks with the Brazilian's parent club Everton later this week but is prevented from offering the midfielder anything longer than a three-month deal because his original loan was arranged outside of a transfer window.

That means de Silva, who has been an influential figure during Barnsley's climb to sixth in the Championship table, must return to Goodison Park at the end of November.

But with Davey's opposite number David Moyes unlikely to plunge him straight into first-team action there, Barnsley are confident they could persuade him to strike a deal, in principle, for de Silva to renew his agreement in January.

"As we are outside the transfer window, he will have to go back to Everton after 93 days, so he would return there anyway at the end of November," Davey confirmed.

Bobby Hassell has returned to training with the club's youth team after being given a clean bill of health by the medical department following a knee problem.

Simon Heslop has signed a one month loan agreement with Halifax Town.

The 20-year-old midfielder recently completed a similar spell at Northwich Victoria during which he made six first-team appearances.

Heslop has made over 50 appearances at Conference level having also travelled to Tamworth and Kidderminster Harriers earlier in his career but was not involved in last night's goalless draw with Grays Athletic at the New Shay.

Goalkeeper Nick Colgan is expected to be named on the bench for tonight's Euro 2008 qualifier between the Republic of Ireland and Cyprus at Croke Park.

Colgan was an unused substitute during last weekend's goalless draw with Germany at the same venue.

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