Barnsley's already slim chances of getting anything at Southampton on Saturday have taken an even bigger blow with the news that a host of first team players have been hit with sickness and flu.
Reds boss Simon Davey told www.barnsleyfc.co.uk:
"We have had some of the squad down with sickness as well as some of the lads struggling with flu. We will take a look at them on Thursday before training and see how they are".
The Reds are already fighting the odds with just 3 away wins all season and one in the last 15 trips whilst promotion chasing Southampton who lie 5th in the Championship have only been beaten twice at their St Mary's Stadium home this season.
With this in mind The Reds need all the help they can get and new loan signings Ritchie Jones and Lewin Nyatanga are in line for their debuts as long as they aren't two of the players struck down this week.