EOIN Toal could make his comeback in the Boxing Day clash with Barnsley.

The Northern Ireland international has been out of action for the last nine games in league and cup with a hamstring injury but is now in contention for a place in the side on Thursday.

Defenders Ricardo Santos and George Johnston will return from suspension but Jay Matete has been ruled out after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season against Wycombe.

Ian Evatt also confirmed that Jordi Osei-Tutu has recovered from the minor knee issue which prevented him from featuring in Friday night’s goalless draw at Adams Park.

“They are both big players for us, so it’s really good news,” he said.

“The players at Wycombe did a really good job. They defended incredibly well, Wycombe hadn’t failed to score in a game since April so it shows what a great clean sheet it was.

“With the personnel we had available, being stretched in that area, it was very good. Obviously, Rico is back which is huge for us. George Johnston is back which is good news.”

The cavalry is arriving for Wanderers, who host Lincoln City on Sunday (December 29) and then travel to Mansfield (January 1) and Exeter City (January 4).

And Evatt knows he will need as many options as possible to keep his side fresh.

“It’s going to be busy but it is a crucial period for us,” he said. “It is great that the squad is getting stronger – getting Eoin, Jordi and Carlos (Mendes Gomes) back. Josh Sheehan is not far away, Kyle Dempsey is not far away.

“Obviously, with January coming up we have got the option to bring Aaron (Morley) back and bring players in.

“It is good that the squad is getting stronger all the time and we have got a really important period where, if we can rack up some points in quick succession, it will put us in a good position going into the New Year and with a fully fit squad that are hopefully firing and ready to go.”

Barnsley are licking their wounds after a 4-0 home defeat against Leyton Orient at the weekend but their form away from Oakwell has been good, and Evatt is not underestimating a side he has got to know well in recent years.

“I don’t see a huge amount of difference really from Duffo’s (Michael Duff) Barnsley to the Barnsley we faced in the play-offs, and then this season,” he said.

“A lot of the things they do are quite similar, so we know what to expect and I am guessing they feel the same way.

“We have had some humdingers over the years and I think Boxing Day could be the same.”