'That's the plan' – Barnsley coach confirms Nwakali is expected to leave the club

Barnsley coach Conor Hourihane has confirmed that Kelechi Nwakali is set to leave the League One club before the transfer window closes for business.

The 2015 Fifa U17 World Cup Golden Ball winner has yet to feature for Barnsley this season, having missed fixtures against Plymouth Argyle, Burton Albion, Fleetwood Town and Bolton Wanderers.

Nwakali was instructed to train away from the first team squad after reporting late for pre-season, a situation that saw him excluded from the Reds' preparations ahead of the new campaign.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference before his side's trip to Peterborough United, Hourihane admitted that plans are in place for Nwakali and goalkeeper Jackson Smith to depart Oakwell in the coming weeks.

"Obviously there's a couple of weeks to go in the window. Let's see where it takes us," Conor Hourihane told reporters.

"I think getting Jackson (Smith) some experience and some game time is the most important thing for him right now. Having him sitting around the building is not good for him, not good for anyone."

When asked if he was looking to move on Nwakali, he responded: "Yes, that's the plan."

Nwakali appeared in twenty-six games in his first season at Barnsley, including twenty-three in League One.

The former Golden Eaglets, Flying Eagles and Olympic national team captain has two years left on his contract with Barnsley.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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