Barnsley captain Alex Mowatt ignoring Leeds United messages ahead of Elland Road clash

Barnsley travel to Elland Road this evening.
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Barnsley captain Alex Mowatt says he is fully focused on the Tykes relegation battle amid a number of messages from Leeds United fans.

The 25-year-old came through the academy ranks in West Yorkshire before his departure from the club over three years ago.

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Gerhard Struber's men travel to Elland Road this evening looking for a vital three points in their bid to beat the drop to League One.

Barnsley captain Alex Mowatt. (Jonathan Gawthorpe)Barnsley captain Alex Mowatt. (Jonathan Gawthorpe)
Barnsley captain Alex Mowatt. (Jonathan Gawthorpe)

Leeds, though, are just four points away from winning promotion to the Premier League and a victory in LS11 will put Marcelo Bielsa's men within touching distance of the top flight.

Mowatt insists despite a strong connection to the club - and a number of messages from Whites supporters this week - that the task for Barnsley is at the forefront of his mind.

“The amount of people I have seen in the shops over the past week who have said: ‘Let Leeds win on Thursday’," Mowatt revealed.

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“People keep saying it and it is mad how many have kept saying that.

“They want Leeds to do well, but we want to as well.

“I am going there as Barnsley captain in a relegation fight and we need the points.

“I have to forget everything about Leeds and it is nothing about them, it is just another game for me.

“If we can come out with a win there, it will be one of the biggest wins of the season for us and hopefully, we can perform on Thursday and do that.”

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Fellow Thorp Arch academy graduate and good friend Kalvin Phillips will miss the clash after a knee issue ended his season prematurely.

Mowatt, though, is disappointed he won't go head-to-head with United's defensive midfielder.

“I think Kalvin has been outstanding," he added.

"He is out for the rest of the season now, but this season, he has been outstanding again.

“It is a shame he is not playing, but I think it benefits us that he is not playing as he is such a big player for them.

“I still speak to him and spoke to him (on Tuesday) and asked how his injury was and things like that.

“He will not be playing in the game against us, which is a shame (for him).”

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