Barnsley

Barnsley
McPhail looks to stay at Barnsley McPhail joined Barnsley last summer Out-of-contract Barnsley midfielder Stephen McPhail says he would be happy to sign a new deal at Oakwell. "I have heard nothing from my agent about any other clubs being interested," McPhail said. "I am sure that my agent is talking to people but he has not brought anything to me and no names have been mentioned. "We will see what comes up but it does not matter because I want to play for Barnsley and am looking forward to next season. I want to sort out a deal."

Howard keen on Bournemouth switch
Swindon Town midfielder Brian Howard has admitted that he would prefer to join Bournemouth although Barnsley have shown an interest in signing him. Howard, 22, will be out of contract with the Robins at the end of the June. He told the Swindon Evening Advertiser: "There has been some interest from Barnsley and other clubs. "I quite fancy Bournemouth if I can get down there because they are a good footballing side and living down south would be perfect for me."

Barnsley not making move for Igoe
Barnsley manager Andy Ritchie says there is no truth in speculation that he wants to sign Swindon Town midfielder Sammy Igoe. Ritchie told the club's official website: "There is no interest at all from us in Sammy Igoe. "I think it is more to do with other parties trying to drum up some interest in the player." Igoe, 29, has been at Swindon since the summer of 2003 but is now out of contract at the County Ground.

Austin secures future at Barnsley
Barnsley defender Neil Austin has agreed a new contract at Oakwell. The 22-year-old right-back has signed a 12-month deal to stay with the Tykes until June, 2006. Austin, who made his debut against Swindon in 2002, has started 78 games for Barnsley since coming through the club's youth system. The Barnsley-born player was restricted to just 15 first-team appearances last season but has been confirmed as part of new manager Andy Ritchie's plans.

Tykes add three players to squad
Barnsley have signed Scunthorpe's Paul Hayes and Richard Kell and Swindon winger Brian Howard. Striker Hayes, 21, joins having been linked with several other clubs. Midfielder Kell, 25, has been signed initially on a short-term contract. Howard, 22, has been captured after rejecting a new contract at Swindon. "We have had all three watched and have been impressed by all the reports back. That is why we made our moves," said Barnsley boss Andy Ritchie. Oakwell chairman Gordon Shepherd said: "Hopefully we will be able to add a couple more signings before the season starts."

Barnsley keen to sign up Chopra
Barnsley boss Andy Ritchie says he is still interested in bringing Newcastle striker Michael Chopra back to Oakwell. "Michael was great for us on loan but I don't think he'll be coming out on loan again next season," Ritchie told BBC Radio Sheffield. "He'll probably play in the Intertoto Cup for Newcastle and then they'll make a decision on what fee they would want. "We're still keen to sign him and the dream partnership for us would be to have Chopra and Paul Hayes up front."

Ritchie wants best from Nardiello
Barnsley boss Andy Ritchie has challenged Daniel Nardiello to prove his value to the team after signing a contract with the club. "It has taken time to get it sorted," Ritchie told the Sheffield Star of the 22-year-old's contract. "He has a lot of potential, but he has to improve outside the box and concentrate more fully on the game. "I have a lot to play in making him better but he has a lot to contribute to that aim himself." Ritchie continued: "He thinks he can play at the top level and it is good to see that self-belief."

Shuker told to make up his mind
Barnsley have given midfielder Chris Shuker until Friday to accept the club's contract offer. "We have heard nothing concrete from Chris yet and we are waiting for him to say yes or no," said boss Andy Ritchie. "It is our final offer. I told him that we want an answer one way or the other by this Friday. "There will be no changes to the offer on the table. We are at our final offer and we want to know what is happening so we can plan for next season."

Ugarte keeping Barnsley guessing
Out of contract Wrexham striker Juan Ugarte is unlikely to accept an offer from Barnsley as the Spaniard wants to join a Championship club. "We made an offer to Juan and his agent spoke to us this morning," manager Andy Ritchie told the Barnsley FC website. "It was a positive reply but the player wants to test himself at Championship level and I know that Crewe Alexandra and Coventry City are interested." Oldham are also thought to be courting the striker who hit 22 goals last term. But Ritchie revealed that Barnsley have not yet given up hope of signing the man from the Basque country. "His agent also told me that Juan would be still interested in a move to Oakwell if nothing came from the Championship," Ritchie added.

Shuker signs new Tykes contract
Midfielder Chris Shuker has ended weeks of uncertainty by signing a new one-year contract at Barnsley. Boss Andy Ritchie had given the 23-year-old a deadline to either accept or reject the club's final offer. Shuker, who joined the Tykes from Manchester City in March 2004, had reportedly been targeted by several other League One clubs. He has scored eight goals in 57 league and cup appearances for Barnsley and was last season's player of the year.

Shakers and Terriers target Baker
Released Barnsley midfielder Tom Baker is a target for Huddersfield and Bury. The 20-year-old was not offered a new contract at Oakwell, but he told the Tykes' website: "Bury and Huddersfield have been in touch with my agent. "At the moment, I am going to Bury next week to have a look around and speak to the manager, but I am not sure where I will end up just yet. "I want to speak to both clubs. I'm not bothered in dropping down a division if the club and deal are right for me." Baker made just four substitute appearances for Barnsley's first team.

Shrews sign Stallard and Sorvel
Shrewsbury have signed Barnsley striker Mark Stallard and Crewe midfielder Neil Sorvel on two-year contracts. Stallard, 30, only joined the Tykes last summer while Sorvel, 32, ends a six-year spell at Gresty Road. Shrews manager Gary Peters told the club website: "Mark's played in higher divisions and is a good target man. "Neil was offered a (one-year) contract and more money at Crewe, but he's come to Shrewsbury for the challenge. That's two really experienced players."

Barnsley rocked by Howard injury
Barnsley's new signing Brian Howard will miss the start of the season because he needs a foot operation. The winger has suffered a small fracture in his right foot and has been ruled out for six weeks. Meanwhile midfielder Richard Kell is recovering from a broken leg and should be fit to return in the autumn. Barnsley boss Andy Ritchie has handed a boost with the news that Tony Vaughan, Barry Conlon and Matt Carbon all returning to pre-season fully fit.

Tykes dismiss Rossi speculation
Barnsley manager Andy Ritchie has rejected speculation linking him with a move for Manchester United striker Guiseppe Rossi. Earlier this week it had been reported that the Tykes were to bring in the 18-year-old on loan, but Ritchie has denied that this is the case. Meanwhile, Bobby Hassle and Tom Williams have not gone on the clubs pre-season tour to Devon. Hassle has a knee injury and Williams is recovering from an ankle problem.

Boulding offered Crewe contract
Crewe have offered trialist Michael Boulding a one-year contract. The former Barnsley striker, 29, impressed in Friday's pre-season friendly against West Brom. Boulding, who spent the last couple of months of the season with Cardiff City, was released by the Oakwell club at the end of May. Former junior tennis star Boulding, arrived in February 2004 after two prolific spells with Grimsby but scored just 10 goals in 35 league appearances. Crewe boss Dario Gradi is also hopeful of sorting out deals for Slovakian Pavel Suhaj and Shrewsbury's Luke Rodgers. "We have made further movement since Friday with nothing definitely done yet," he said. "Pavel has now returned to Slovakia so that will be the most difficult of the deals because we are in the hands of his agent as Pavel doesn't understand a word of English."

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