Barnsley manager Darrell Clarke will be without one of the leading centerbacks for this week’s busy pair of matches.
Donovan Pines is set to miss Tuesday’s EFL Cup trip to Manchester United and Saturday’s League One showdown with Burton Albion after picking up a concussion last weekend. Pines was substituted off at halftime during Barnsley’s eventual 3-0 loss to Stevenage and isn’t expected to be ready due to league concussion protocols.
Stevenage scored all three of their goals in the second half, while Pines was off the field. Clarke admitted that the 26-year-old’s absence left Barnsley in a major hole defensively
“Donovan is a big physical presence and that’s one of the reasons we conceded a couple of goals just after half-time,” Clarke said postmatch in an interview transcribed by the Barnsley Chronicle.
Pines has enjoyed a positive return to action this summer after missing the final few months of last season. He’s scored two goals in seven combined appearances for the club, teaming up with international teammate Gabriel Slonina in the back end of Clarke’s formation.
However, a once-in-a-lifetime experience at Old Trafford is something that Pines will miss as Barnsley tries to pull a major shock against the host Red Devils.
Barnsley will close its September schedule on Sept. 28 against Stockport County.
