Sam Cosgrove and Josh Benson backed to be eyeing potential Barnsley FC exits | OneFootball

FLW asked resident Tykes pundit, Andy Symcox, who in the squad, if anyone, would be keen for a move away from Oakwell this winter.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Losing out in last season's play-off semi-final, Barnsley are very much on course for another bite at Wembley promotion.

The South Yorkshire side currently find themselves in the top-six with relative comfort, as the second half of the season begins to take shape.

However, with moderate success comes potential departures, either from the outstanding few gaining interest from above, or those in the periphery of Darrell Clarke's matchday squads, who are struggling to match the levels of their peers.

At the halfway stage of the January window, French-Irish defender Neil Farrugia's arrival from Shamrock Rovers has proved the club's only significant transfer dealing thus far, who could be making their way out of the side before the month is up?

Benson and Cosgrove departures may be "best for all concerned", according to Barnsley pundit

FLW asked resident Tykes pundit, Andy Symcox, who in the squad, if anyone, would be keen for a move away from Oakwell this winter.

Symcox nominated two players who, despite having their good moments at the club, are not receiving enough game time under Darrell Clarke.

"Regarding Barnsley players that may wish to leave in this January transfer window, whether on loan or permanently, there are two that spring to mind, although I have no information about either.

"Firstly, Josh Benson. Josh is in and out of being injured, and his contract is up at the end of the year.

"He needs to be playing football. If he is fit, it may well be best for all concerned if Josh is either sold, or more likely loaned out for the rest of the season. However, his contract may preclude that.

"Secondly, Sam Cosgrove may wish to depart. Having played an incredible game in the second leg of the play-off semi-final against Bolton at the end of last season, Sam has had some time injured, and has occasionally played, but not very much, often coming on, if at all, as a late substitute.

"He's not getting enough game time, and I think it would be best for him if he signed for another club to play the football that he wishes to play."

As Symcox states, Cosgrove and Benson are two players who have been someone ousted from starting contention after unfortunate injury records of late.

Could the pair, now both deep into their twenties, seek regular minutes elsewhere before the February deadline?

Josh Benson has had zero luck with injury in nightmare two years

Having started his Yorkshire career relatively strongly, 25-year-old central midfielder Josh Benson has been ruled out for the majority of the past two League One seasons with a recurring hamstring injury.

Missing exactly 300 days worth of league football between November 2023 and September 2024, the former Burnley man made six successive substitute appearances, before a further aggravation in October that has seen him now absent for over two months.

Struggling to stay fit long enough to stake a claim in the side, and in the last year of his contract, it appears as though Benson's Barnsley career is all but over. However, with such a brutal injury record of late, despite his obvious talent when healthy, he may find it difficult to convince another EFL side of his signature.