American defender Donovan Pines will miss Barnsley’s push for promotion to the EFL Championship but is expected back this summer.
Pines has missed ample time this spring due to a thigh injury, for which he underwent surgery for, manager Martin Devaney confirmed Thursday. Although Pines won’t play a part in this weekend’s semifinal first leg vs. Bolton Wanderers, he is expected to be back to full health for the start of the 2024-25 campaign.
“He’s had the [thigh] operation, so he won’t be fit for the play-off games,” Devaney said in an interview transcribed by the Yorkshire Post. “I believe the injury is improving every day and I am sure with the off-season and break that he will be ready for pre-season.”
Pines made the move to Barnsley during the January Transfer Window, but struggled to jump into the squad fully until mid-February. The 26-year-old made four-consecutive appearances for Barnsley from Feb. 17 – March 5, scoring in back-to-back matches against Wycombe Wanderers and Bolton respectively.
However, his thigh injury forced Pines to miss the last two months of action, despite earning Player and Goal of the Month honors during March’s schedule.
Barnsley could desperately use the veteran centerback for the promotion playoffs, but unfortunately will have to wait until the summer to see him on the field again.
Could it be in the Championship or will it be in League One? We’ll just have to wait and see.
