Barnsley vs Wolverhampton Wanderers. Sky Bet Championship.
Oakwell StadiumAttendance16,050.
Friday 12 January 2018 13:16, UK
Barnsley's new signing Kieffer Moore is poised to make his debut in the home game against Wolves.
Moore joined from Ipswich for an undisclosed fee earlier this week and is likely to go straight into Paul Heckingbottom's starting line-up. Defender Matty Pearson could return to contention after missing the last five games due to a groin injury but Joe Williams is banned.
Winger Ryan Hedges (thigh) and full-back Andy Yiadom (ankle) are still out, while centre-half Adam Jackson is closing in on his return after a long-term (knee) injury.
Danny Batth and Ruben Vinagre are both suspended for Sky Bet Championship leaders Wolves. Defender Batth serves the final game of his three-match ban for his dismissal against Bristol City while Vinagre is out after being sent off against Swansea.
Boss Nuno Espirito Santo must choose from three of Diogo Jota, Ivan Cavaleiro, Helder Costa, Leo Bonatini and Rafa Mir up front. Goalkeeper Carl Ikeme remains out as he continues to battle leukaemia after being diagnosed in the summer.
Barnsley have won four of their last six home league games against Wolves (D1 L1), though that defeat came in this fixture last season.
Wolves are looking to complete their first Football League double over the Tykes since the 2000/01 campaign.
Barnsley have won their opening home league match in a calendar year in each of the last five years, beating Leeds 3-2 last year.
Wolves' current haul of 61 points in this season's Championship would have seen them finish one place above opponents Barnsley in the table last season - the Tykes won 58 points in 2016/17.
Only Sunderland and Burton (8) have won fewer home points in the Championship this season than Barnsley (13).
Wolves defender Ryan Bennett has played more Championship games without ending on the losing side than any other player this season (14 - W12 D2).