Barnsley U23s host Crystal Palace at Oakwell in the Professional Development League on Friday afternoon.
The young Reds come into the game on the back of a 3-1 defeat at Bolton Wanderers, with Amir Berkovits on target for Paul Harsley’s side at the Macron Stadium.
It was the winger’s second goal of the campaign, having previously scored against Birmingham City back in December as Barnsley won 2-1.
Harsley’s side will be up against it when the high flying Eagles arrive in South Yorkshire; Palace are currently top of their respective league - eight points clear of nearest rivals Charlton Athletic.
Coached by former Selhurst Park favourite Richard Shaw, the Eagles have won 10 of their last 13 games and have scored 37 goals in the process, conceding just 15 - six of which came in a heavy defeat to Coventry City in January.
Barnsley will need to be wary of the threat posed by Levi Lumeka. The striker has 11 goals to his name this campaign, and was on target in Palace’s last outing as they brushed Cardiff City aside in a 4-0 win.
Jason Eyeing-Lokilo is also a danger man for the Eagles; the Belgian forward has scored seven goals for Shaw’s side and, like Lumeka, scored against the Bluebirds.
Also potentially lining up for Palace at Oakwell is Nya Kirby, who was part of England’s U17 World Cup winning squad back in October. The midfielder played six games in India, and came on for the last eight minutes as Steve Cooper’s side beat Spain 5-2 in the final.
Kirby also played his part in the last-16 triumph over Japan as he scored the winning penalty in the shoot-out to send the young Lions through to the quarter-finals.
Kick-off on Friday is at 2pm on the main OAKWELL pitch! Entry is FREE for all supporters in the WEST STAND only! Please use the main car park which is also FREE of charge to all supporters.
