Halme doubtful for Barnsley’s clash with Reading

Posted Tuesday, December 10, 2019 by PA

Barnsley boss Gerhard Struber is sweating on the fitness of defender Aapo Halme for the Sky Bet Championship visit of Reading to Oakwell on Wednesday night.

Centre-back Halme has earned himself a place as a regular following his move from Leeds over the summer but is a major doubt for the clash with the Royals due to an ankle injury.

Striker Mallik Wilks has yet to figure under Struber since the Austrian has been in charge over the past four matches due to illness, and again remains a doubt.

Struber otherwise has a fully-fit squad to choose from as the bottom-of-the-table Tykes seek a result to help them fight their way out of the relegation zone.

Striker Sam Baldock and defender Jordan Obita should both be available for the Royals.

Baldock has missed the last three games with a hamstring injury, while Obita has been sidelined recently with a stomach bug.

Boss Mark Bowen is waiting on the fitness of full-back Andy Yiadom and midfielder Ovie Ejaria. Yiadom sustained a knee injury in the 3-2 defeat at home to Birmingham on Saturday, while Ejaria missed that game with a groin issue.

Midfielder John Swift is Bowen’s only confirmed absentee with a hamstring injury.