Former Ireland u21 international Sean McClare is hoping to make an impact at Oakwell with Barnsley this season.

The 22-year-old joined Barnsley as a trainee in 1993. He struggled to maintain a first team place last season due to the presence of Craig Hignett and Nicky Eadon. But since Hignett left for pastures new with Blackburn, Sean could now get his chance.

McClare was farmed out on loan with Third Division Rochdale at the end of the last campaign and it looked for a while that his future could well lie in a lower division.

But he returned to Barnsley for their opening pre-season game at the weekend, and he scored the first goal in a 2-1 victory over King's Kuopio.

As the weeks progress, McClare will be working hard, in a bid to impress Dave Basset, with the hope of a first place in the team.