By Harry Jones
December 18 2025

Barnsley will look to win their final away game of 2025 when they make the long trip down to Devon to face Exeter.

Marc Roberts and Josh Earl are expected to be in the squad and in contention to start which is a boost to Barnsley.

 

Josh Earl was an unused substitute against Leyton Orient whilst Marc Roberts came on in the 92nd minute.

 

Left-backs Nathanael Ogbeta and Georgie Gent are both likely to miss Barnsley's next two games with injury.

 

Hourihane said: "They are still a couple of weeks away.

 

"Nat is progessing well but it may be after the Boxing Day game that we have him back. Similar to Georgie, who will miss the next couple. He had a little bit of a hamstring issue off the back of Peterborough."

 

Skipper Luca Connell will return after missing the Leyton Orient game through suspension after accumulating five yellow cards.

 

Reyes Cleary is one of the hottest prospects in the EFL right now and he will look to continue his magnificent run of form after getting 3 goal involvements against Leyton Orient last Saturday.

 

As for Exeter, they currently sit inside the League One relegation zone in 22nd place.

 

However, The Grecians are unbeaten in six matches at home in all competitions.

 

Its on the road where Exeter have struggled, having the divisions worst away record but the 15th best home record.

 

The Grecians are also suffering financial difficulties, with the club requiring two emergency loans, totalling £600,000, from the Exeter City Supporters' Trust to cover basic operations like paying staff and players.

 

A recent fire at St James Park caused an estimated £100,000 in damaging, further adding to their financial woes.

 

However, Exeter did draw a potentially lucrative FA Cup third round tie away at Manchester City which could help ease the current financial burden.

 

Exeter have had three mid table finishes since returning to League One after earning automatic promotion from League Two in 2021/22 after 10 seasons in England's fourth tier.

 

They are led by Gary Caldwell who has been in charge since October 2022.

 

The clubs have faced off 26 times, with Barnsley winning nine games and losing 13.

 

Barnsley won away at Exeter nearly a year ago with a 2-1 scoreline, before Exeter won 2-1 at Oakwell on April Fools Day last season.