It Could Be Howard's Way At Oakwell Again.

Last updated : 20 June 2014 By Rob Miles (BarnsleyBoy)

Barnsley are in advanced talks to bring former captain Brian Howard back to the club.

The now 31 year old originally joined Barnsley from Swindon Town in the summer of 2005 and helped the club win promotion from League One in his first season.

It was in the Championship that the former Southampton youngster really made his name at Oakwell however, as he scored the winner at Liverpool in the FA Cup and skippered the side at Wembley in the Semi-Finals in 2008.

Howard left for Yorkshire rivals Sheffield United somewhat acrimoniously in January 2009 but his career has stalled since leaving Barnsley.

He scored 28 times in 137 appearances for Barnsley but has managed just eight strikes in 142 appearances for Sheffield United, Reading, Millwall, Portsmouth, Bristol City and Birmingham in the five years since.

Howard was released by the Blues this summer following just five games and is now in talks to return to the only place where he has ever shown his true talent.

Reds chief executive Ben Mansford told the Barnsley Chronicle:

 "Brian is regularly linked with this club because of what he did in the past but I can confirm he is one of our targets. There are other options for us and it is probably 50/50 whether we sign him."

Meanwhile The Reds have extended two more deals off the pitch.

Main club sponsors CK Beckett have agreed to remain with the club for the next three seasons and their name will appear on the club’s home and away shirts up until the end of the 2016/2017 campaign. As part of the tie-up they will also distribute 150 tickets to Barnsley schoolchildren every week.

Goalkeeper Christian Dibble has also extended his contract. The 20-year-old Welsh stopper has yet to make a first team appearance but will remain at Oakwell until the end of the 2014-2015 season and he will compete with Luke Steele and new recruit Adam Davies for the goalkeeping jersey.