We reported on Friday that Barnsley agreed a loan deal for Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Jordan Smith, and the Tykes’ chief executive has praised the Reds for handing over their shot-stopper at short notice. Gauthier Ganaye said he was “really pleased” and “really thankful” to Forest for saving them during a goalkeeper crisis that saw them without their first and second choice ahead of Saturday’s trip to Accrington Stanley.
He said to Barnsley’s official website: “Firstly we’re really thankful to Nottingham Forest for allowing us to take Jordan on-loan, they’ve helped us out when we needed it. We’re really pleased to be able to bring in a goalkeeper with Jordan’s experience at such short notice and we look forward to welcoming him into the squad.”
Barnsley will be without Adam Davies and Jack Walton for their weekend clash. Davies is away on international duty with Wales while Walton was picked up a knee injury. Forest have certainly done the League One club a favour by giving them Smith on a seven-day emergency loan, but the shot-stopper wasn’t making the matchday squad this season.
Smith has made 48 appearances in all competition for Forest since rising through the youth ranks to the first-team in 2015, but he finds himself behind the likes of Costel Pantilimon, Luke Steele and Stephen Henderson in the pecking order. Forest don’t need him, but Barnsley will certainly benefit. The Tykes are fourth in League One and have game in hand which could see them move up a place in the table if they win.
Only Sunderland (13) have conceded fewer goals than Barnsley, so Smith will have a resilient defence in front of him.
