York-born Heslop has found his route to the first team blocked by a succession of more experienced campaigners, and despite impressing in loan spells at Kidderminster Harriers and Tamworth, Tykes boss Simon Davey is now prepared to let the young prospect leave.

Heslop is currently training with Rochdale but a number of League Two sides, including Port Vale and Grimsby Town, have registered their interest in signing the player.

As one young midfielder looks set to depart from the club, another is adjusting to life in Yorkshire.

Former Argentina Under-21 captain Hugo Roberto Colace, who signed for the club at the end of June from Argentinian Newell's Old Boys, has already impressed thanks to some powerful displays in the heart of midfield.

The midfield schemer, who made his first appearance in a Barnsley shirt in the recent 4-1 defeat of non-league Buxton, is being tipped to make a big impact at the club by manager Davey.

"Hugo is a tremendous talent and has a very good pedigree after playing for the Argentinean national team right through to U21 level," he said.

"He is technically an outstanding footballer and we cannot wait to start work with him here.

"We are delighted to have brought him in and I'm sure that he will have a big part to play for us next season. This is a massive coup for our club."

Another new face to Tykes fans this pre-season is Academy prospect Jamil Adam, who has followed his brief end of season debut away at Cardiff with a blistering start to the new campaign.

The 17-year-old striker – whose consistent goalscoring performances for the reserves last season earnt him a call-up to the Nigerian under-20 side – notched a brace of strikes in the win over Buxton, and followed that performance up with another strike in the match against Glossop 24 hours later.

Tykes fans will be hoping these promising displays are a precursor for even greater feats from the young prospect next season.

Meanwhile, fellow striker and one of this summer's new arrivals at Oakwell, Iain Hume, has backed himself to justify his price tag, and get the goals the club sorely lacked last term.

The £1.2 million that boss Simon Davey has paid for the former Leicester and Tranmere star represents just the fourth transfer in excess of £1 million in Barnsley's history, and their first since 1999.

Hume though, remains positive he can justify the outlay.

"I just have to live up to that (price tag) now.

"I just hope I can repeat what I achieved at Leicester and Tranmere. Hopefully I can have a good season."

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