Barnsley travel to Fulham on Saturday looking to get back on track following their 1-0 defeat at home to Birmingham City in midweek, which leaves the Tykes nine points adrift of safety in the Championship.

Gerhard Struber’s side had managed to end a three-match losing run by holding Sheffield Wednesday to a 1-1 draw last weekend, which had given the Tykes some hope of managing to improve their form and pick up some much-needed results, but they were unable to build on that against Birmingham in midweek.

The defeat means the Tykes have now suffered four defeats in their last five Championship matches, which has seen them lose ground on the teams above them and drop back down to the bottom of the Championship table.

That means that Struber’s side will be in real need of ending four-match winless run on their travels against Fulham, as they look to pick up all three points which could potentially see them move off the bottom of the table and close the gap on the teams above, if other results go their way.

Barnsley, though, continue to be frustrated in their attempts to bring in a new defender, with Struber confirming that the Tykes are not close to bringing in a new centre-back.

Considering that Fulham have managed to move themselves on level points with second placed Leeds United after winning four of their last six league matches, it will be a real challenge for the Tykes to come away from Craven Cottage with any sort of positive result, but they did beat Scott Parker’s side on the opening day of the campaign.

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Here then, we take a look at the starting XI that Struber could select against Fulham on Saturday…

Struber is likely to stick with the same 4-3-1-2 formation that he has used over the last few weeks, and the Barnsley manager could have to make a couple of changes to the side that suffered a defeat against Birmingham, as he looks to freshen up the side to give them more energy on Saturday.

Brad Collins will remain in goal for the Tykes, with Sami Radlinger continuing to be absent through injury alongside midfielder Marcel Ritzmaier, and the keeper will be hoping to build on the two solid performances he has put in in their last two games against Sheffield Wednesday and Birmingham.

Jordan Williams is likely to keep his place down the right-hand side of Barnsley’s defence for the trip to Fulham, but Struber could be forced to make a change at left-back with Clarke Oduor having come off the field in the 27th minute of their defeat against Birmingham in midweek, which could mean his replacement in that game Kilian Ludewig could come into the side.

At the heart of Barnsley’s defence Struber is likely to stick with Michael Sollbauer, although he could be set to make a change to his partner, with Mads Andersen set to be rested for the game against Fulham, which could mean Aapo Halme comes into the defence.

In the midfield three, Struber could look to start all three of Alex Mowatt, Elliott Simoes and Luke Thomas, with the trio having all started and delivered encouraging performances in the 1-1 draw against Sheffield Wednesday last weekend, although Barnsley did leave out Thomas for Callum Styles against Birmingham.

Playing just behind the front two should be Cauley Woodrow, who continues to be a leading light for the Tykes, having taken his tally of goals up to 11 in the Championship by netting in the 1-1 draw against Sheffield Wednesday, and although he was not on target against Birmingham he should still pose a real threat against his former club on Saturday.

The front two should once again be Jacob Brown and Conor Chaplin, and Barnsley will be needing those two to work hard from the front on the press to try and prevent Fulham from getting into their usual passing rhythm, while they also be hoping to get enough service to make an impact in the final third.