Reds Head Coach, Gerhard Struber spoke to the assembled media at Oakwell today to preview Saturday's trip to Reading.
The boss was first asked about the status of his players who were missing in the midweek victory at Middlesbrough in the Carabao Cup.
And was quick to reassure people after the news about Boro coach Neil Warnock that everyone at Oakwell was healthy going into the weekend.
“We hope Clarke (Oduor) is ready for Coventry next week, he’s on a good way now. We might be without Elliot Simoes this weekend, but other than those two short-term injuries, everyone is fit and ready.
“The whole staff and squad are fine, and we wish Neil Warnock well at Middlesbrough.
"We had no contact with Neil, and none of us have any symptoms and our testing programme continues this weekend.”
That success on Teesside booked the Reds a glamour tie at Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea in the next round. But it was the Reds' display that encouraged Struber most.
It was the reaction he had asked for from his players.
“It was a step forward for us, in our performance." Gerhard explained.
“Against Middlesbrough we handled the opposition well which allowed us to play our own game.
“It is pleasing to get a reaction from my boys. This gives me a good feeling.”
It's a long trip south to Berkshire on Saturday for the Reds.
The Royals kicked off their Sky Bet Championship campaign with an impressive 2-0 victory at Derby County.
But Struber is confident that if his side are on the right level in his game style, it will be a tough affair for Reading.
He told us: “I don’t think Reading will find it easy to play against us, particularly with our pressing style.
“Our intensity and energy is a big key for us, and gives us an edge in every game. But Reading are unique in their play at times and the triggers against them aren’t always clear.
“We go there on Saturday with belief and hope that we can get three points on the board.”
The gaffer was once again asked about incoming and outgoing transfers.
He ended up having to repeat himself, as is often the case at this time of year with the window open for another couple of weeks.
“We are not going to rush into transfers, we have no stress." Struber asserted.
“We are assessing our options, we have many players we are looking at, but I want to be 100% sure, not 90%.
“This is football, it can sometimes be about patience, not getting frustrated.
“Like I say, we have a number of interesting players we look at but players have to be ready to play straight away, not purely for development.
“In terms of my players, it is of course a topic. We have many players in our club who are interesting for other clubs.
“But as I’ve said before, it is important we save our players here."
