Barnsley are set for an interesting January transfer window ahead, with Gerhard Struber likely to be in the market for new signings to strengthen his squad. 

The Tykes are currently sat bottom of the Championship, although they have shown improvement in recent weeks under Struber's guidance.

They picked up a much-needed second win of the season against Hull City in their last home game, and will be hoping to bounce back from a defeat to Cardiff City at the weekend when they host Reading on Wednesday evening at Oakwell.

Speaking in a pre-match press conference ahead of the game against the Royals, Struber admitted that he is likely to want to work with a smaller squad for the remainder of this year's league campaign.

The average age of the Barnsley squad is just under 23, and Struber could be tempted to add some much-needed experience to the team in January.

They face a real battle to retain their status as a second tier club, as they look to avoid immediate relegation back into League One after promotion last term.

Barnsley could move off the foot of the table if they beat Reading on Wednesday and other results go their way, but Struber and his squad will know that they need to put a positive run of results together at the earliest of opportunities.

The Verdict: 

I'm surprised by this.

I would have thought that Barnsley would need additional players, as opposed to working with a smaller group of players in the first team.

It's going to be an interesting January transfer window for the Tykes though, and Struber needs to make sure that they are good enough to slot straight into the starting XI to help aid their fight against relegation.