Confirmed team news: Super Eagles midfielder Nwakali back in Barnsley's matchday squad v Shrewsbury Town

Speaking to the external media at his pre-match press conference, Barnsley manager Darrell Clarke confirmed that Kelechi Nwakali will be back in the matchday squad for the trip to Shrewsbury Town on Saturday.

The Super Eagles midfielder was not called up for Barnsley's last match in the League One against Charlton Athletic on October 22 despite Clarke's decision to name seven outfield players in the gameday squad.

Nwakali last featured in The Reds matchday squad at Blackpool, where he was an unused substitute. 

More than two months after his transfer to Barnsley, the 2015 Fifa U17 World Cup Golden Ball winner has yet to make his league debut.

Clarke has not provided an explanation as to why the former Arsenal starlet was not considered for the home game against the Addicks but emphasized that the Nigeria international gave a good account of himself on his competitive debut against Huddersfield Town in the EFL Trophy on October 8.

He told reporters: "I made the decision the other night to not have a goalkeeper on the bench, it was a tactical decision. I had a few achy bodies. I want to be able to flip it into a different formation if I needed to in this particular game, it's not something I do all the time.

'Kelechi is training really better, played well against Huddersfield in the Trophy. He will be involved in the game on Saturday."

Barnsley are keeping a close eye on the former Golden Eaglets and Flying Eagles skipper amid concerns that his playing style is not suited to the English game. 

Nwakali signed a three-year deal with Barnsley in the summer transfer window and has struggled to break into the starting lineup.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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