Conor Hourihane. (Photo: Tony Johnson)placeholder image
Conor Hourihane. (Photo: Tony Johnson)
BARNSLEY head coach Conor Hourihane has confirmed that loan winger Tawanda Chirewa has had a ‘little setback’ in his return from injury and is currently back at parent club Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Chirewa, who spent a loan stint at Huddersfield Town in the second half of last term, joined the Reds towards the end of thw winter window and has made just one appearance thus far.
It came in a brief 10-minute plus cameo in the 3-1 win over Stevenage on January 31.
Hourihane had hoped that the 22-year-old would be in contention for Saturday’s trip to Leyton Orient, the start of a hectic schedule for the Reds.
Barnsley defender Barry Cotter, who has joined Derry City. Picture: Tony Johnson.placeholder image
Barnsley defender Barry Cotter, who has joined Derry City. Picture: Tony Johnson.
The Oakwell chief said: "Everyone that was involved in the (Huddersfield) gamer is fine.
"There's no issues from that point of view. The only one really who we were expecting back this week is Tawanda, but he's had a little bit of a setback in terms of his last couple of sessions and getting him clear and back to us.
"He's currently back with his parent club, doing a bit of rehab and what not.
"He's had a little setback over the last couple of days and we were expecting him back today in terms of getting him involved again for the weekend. But that's going to be pushed back.”
Earlier this week, Barnsley confirmed the permanent departure of wing-back Barry Cotter to Derry City- with the Irishman spending the first half of the season on loan at Notts County.
Cotter, who joined the Reds in January 2023, made 66 appearances for the club ahead of being released from his contract this week. His deal was up in the summer.
Hourihane added: "Barry obviously has been at the club a bit before my time as well.
“Look, Barry went out on loan in the summer. It was best for him and for the club.
"I don't want to go into any happenings away from this football club or in the dressing rooms or whatever.
“But I just think Barry is someone that's been at the club for a while. And to change the culture and personnel around the dressing room, it fitted the bill for Barry to go out.
"It didn't work for him at Notts County and he’s gone to Derry. We wish him all the very, very best. But it's someone that wasn't in the plans from the summer or to bring back in January.
"I wish Barry all the very best. But, he was someone that was well out in my thought process right now."