From Yorkshire Post: BARNSLEY chairman Gordon Shepherd has given manager Andy Ritchie the green light to sign another new midfield player after allowing Jacob Burns to join Polish side Wisla Krakow. The departure of the Australian international could yet be a blow to Barnsley's promotion push but Shepherd says the money saved on his wages is available for Ritchie to spend. While permanent deals are not an option, Ritchie may opt to re-enter the loan market – just 48 hours after landing winger Kyle Nix from Sheffield United. Shepherd said: "We do have other players who can play in this position and wouldn't have let Jacob leave if we didn't think we could cope but if Andy wants to bring someone else in, the money is there and the board are willing to help." As Burns would have been entitled to leave as a free agent in the summer, Barnsley will receive only a nominal fee from Wisla, who are currently top of the Polish League. They won the title last season but subsquently lost to Greek club Panathanaikos in the third qualifying round of the Champions League and Portuguese side Guimaraes in the first round of the UEFA Cup. Burns was one of the highest paid players on the books at Oakwell after swapping life in the Premiership with Leeds United to join the League One side three years ago. The 27-year-old has enjoyed his time at Barnsley but asked to leave in order to boost his chances of playing for Australia in next summer's World Cup finals. Last night, he admitted: "I definitely have very mixed emotions and it has not been a decision I have taken lightly. "It is hard to leave when we are at the top end of the table but it is a great opportunity for me to move forward in my career. "It gives me a chance of making the Australian squad for the World Cup this year as well as playing Champions League football next season. "This does not guarantee anything – but at least I have put myself in the frame for Germany and I will have done everything I can to make that squad." Burns explained: "I did not want to regret not giving myself the opportunity in later life. "I wanted to be a credit to Barnsley Football Club and hopefully I have done that," he added. "I now want the rest of the lads to achieve great things and get Barnsley back into the Championship."
RE: Horlock. do it. Indeed, get him in. Alternatively, someone said Magilton was released by Ipswich recently, don't know if it's true.
i think he's pretty cool i used to go to school with him and now going drinking with him. he's pretty cool, most times. thought you may be interested to know that Bradford have signed Wilbraham from MK Dons because Dean WIndass has been banned for 5 games.
