Barnsley

Barnsley capture Macken from Rams
Barnsley have signed Derby County striker Jon Macken for an undisclosed "six-figure" fee. The 30-year-old scored three goals in 11 appearances in a recent loan spell at Oakwell in the autumn, before he was recalled by his parent club. But having started just four league games for Derby in nearly a year there, he has now made the move permanent. The Republic of Ireland international has put pen to paper on a contract running until the summer of 2009. Macken began his career as a trainee at Manchester United but without breaking into their first team, and played for Preston, Manchester City, Crystal Palace and Ipswich before joining Derby on 31 January 2007, just before the transfer window closed.

Keeper Muller out for the season
Barnsley goalkeeper Heinz Muller will miss the rest of the season and could be out of action for up to nine months because of a knee injury. Muller sustained the injury in the 1-0 victory against Colchester in the Championship on 29 January. Muller, 29, is due to have an operation in his native Germany on Thursday after an MRI scan confirmed that he had torn his lateral meniscus. But it is unclear whether he has ruptured his cruciate ligament. "He's decided to have the surgery in Germany as he'll have his family around him and he knows the surgeon," physio Richard Kay told the club website. Muller joined Barnsley on a three-year contract from Norwegian side Lillestrom in August 2007.

Barnsley seek keeper for Anfield
Barnsley manager Simon Davey wants to bring in a goalkeeper on loan before the FA Cup tie against Liverpool. On-loan keeper Tony Warner is cup-tied for the match at Anfield, having already played for Fulham. As Heinz Muller is injured with cruciate ligament damage, Davey would be left with youngster Kyle Letheren for the biggest match of the season. Davey told the club website: "If we needed a kid, we would put Kyle in. We are looking for experience."

Well done guys superb and well happy to see you go through!! good luck in the semis :eng: :clap: :clap: :clap:

Van Homoet banned for three games
Barnsley defender Marciano Van Homoet has been suspended for three games following his red card in Saturday's 2-1 defeat at QPR. The 24-year-old full-back was sent off for a tackle on QPR's debutant loanee Daniel Parejo. Meanwhile, Tykes manager Simon Davey was pleased with the debut of fellow Dutchman Maceo Rigters at Loftus Road. "He showed glimmers where the goal is and how to play. We're pleased that we've got him with us," said Davey. The 24-year-old striker, on a season-long loan from Blackburn Rovers, played the last 15 minutes. Rigters started his career with Heerenveen before moving to Dordrecht and then NAC Breda. He joined Rovers in summer 2007 and made seven appearances for the Premier League side being loaned out to Norwich City in March.

Barnsley dismiss Davey ultimatum
Barnsley manager Simon Davey has rubbished newspaper reports claiming that he has been given three games to save his job. "I don't read the papers, as far as I'm concerned I just get on with my job," said Davey. Reds owner Patrick Cryne told Radio Sheffield: "There is absolutely no truth to the stories." "I speak to Patrick on a daily basis and have definitely not been given that ultimatium," Davey added. Barnsley have had a poor start to the season having lost their first four matches this season against Birmingham, Coventry, Crewe and QPR.

Davey to battle through criticism
Barnsley manager Simon Davey says some of the fans are not helping the team. A section of the Oakwell crowd turned on the Reds during their 1-0 home defeat to Cardiff on Tuesday night. Davey told Radio Sheffield: "They're entitled to their opinion, as a manager it doesn't help but we're professional and we'll get on with it." The Reds have now lost five of their opening six games but Davey is undeterred: "We'll go about our business like we always do."

Barnsley ponder Hume legal action
Barnsley are considering taking legal action after Iain Hume suffered a fractured skull and internal bleeding in Saturday's loss to Sheffield United. Striker Hume underwent surgery after a challenge by Chris Morgan and is in a "stable condition" in a high dependency unit in hospital. "The club may be seeking legal advice on the matter," Tykes manager Simon Davey told Radio Sheffield. "We've ended up with a life-threatening injury and a player in a hospital bed." Former Leicester forward Hume, 25, was hurt in a clash with Sheffield United skipper Morgan and appeared to be caught by an elbow as both players challenged for a header in the first half. "He got caught in the face with an elbow. He couldn't move his neck," added Davey. "His neck was stiff and his cheekbone's not in the same shape it was when he started the game." The striker's condition deteriorated on Sunday and he was taken in for surgery. Morgan, who started his career at Barnsley, was booked over the incident by referee Andy D'Urso, but Davey was furious at the outcome. "The decision not to show a red card was an absolute disgrace," he told the Tykes website. "Iain is now in hospital with a fractured skull because of that challenge - one that seemingly warranted only a yellow card." Davey claimed both he and assistant manager Ryan Kidd had raised concerns over Hume's treatment by the Blades with ref D'Urso at half-time. He added: "There is no timescale regarding when he will be fit enough to return, but he is in a stable condition." The Blades responded to the news of Hume's injury in a club statement. "Sheffield United are saddened and concerned to hear that Barnsley striker Iain Hume is being monitored in a high dependency unit following last Saturday's fixture," it read. "We wish him a speedy and full recovery."

Barnsley's Hume back in hospital
Barnsley striker Iain Hume has been readmitted to hospital as a precaution after feeling unwell at his home. The 25-year-old, who was released last week after an operation on a fractured skull, will be kept in for a further night, Radio Sheffield understands. "He began feeling unwell at home and we hope it's a case of better safe than sorry," said a Tykes spokesman. Hume suffered the injury to his skull after a challenge from Sheffield United's Chris Morgan on 8 November. The former Leicester City man spent time in a high dependency unit in hospital following the clash where he underwent surgery on his fractured skull and for internal bleeding. On his original release from hospital, Hume had told BBC Radio Sheffield: "I'm happy that I am out of hospital and I will be back (playing football). Nothing will stop me from playing, it's my life." Defender Morgan, 31, received a booking for the challenge, and Barnsley have submitted video footage to the Football Association which has yet to confirm if it will take further action.

Barnsley sign Jacob Mellis and Frank Nouble
Barnsley have signed midfielder Jacob Mellis from Chelsea and striker Frank Nouble from West Ham United, both on loan until the end of the season. Mellis, 20, made his first-team debut against Zilina in the Champions League last November, and made 15 appearances on loan at Southampton last season. Nouble, 19, has made 14 appearances for the Hammers since his move to Upton Park from Chelsea in July 2009. He has also been on loan at West Brom, Swindon and Swansea. England Under-19 international Mellis, who joined the Blues from Sheffield United in 2007, last week signed a deal to keep him at Stamford Bridge until 2013. "He is a big talent and technically brilliant," Tykes boss Mark Robins told the club website. "He's not been seen on this stage yet, but I have no worries about his attacking abilities."

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