Valerien Ismael fires a message to Barnsley's Elliot Simoes after loan move to Doncaster Rovers

Simoes featured just twice under Ismael, with his final appearance coming in the 3-0 loss at Cardiff City on November 3 when the Reds chief brought him off after forty minutes.

The former FC United of Manchester player has not featured since, with Ismael firing a broadside in the direction of the 21-year-old in late autumn when he questioned his 'intensity' and seriousness.'

Simoes has now switched from Oakwell to a push for the League One play-offs with Rovers and Ismael wants him to use his loan spell productively.

Ismael said: "First, he has to play and he needs to improve his mentality to be more professional and to enjoy (it) for sure.

"It is maybe a chance for him to reflect on the last few months (in terms of) what has happened and now take the chance to prove his quality, but (also) develop his mentality and adapt more professionality (sic), which is what you need to be a football player."

On whether Simoes still has a future at the club, he added: "We will see what happens with the next months. It is his decision what happens on the field. We will see."

Meanwhile, Ismael confirmed that a desire to give extended opportunities to the club's young players in midfield was behind the decision to allow Matty James to return to his parent club Leicester City and not attempt to bring him back to Oakwell for a third loan spell.

James, 29, was a steadying influence in his time at the club, which ended after Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Norwich, the final game of his half-season loan.

The Lancastrian has now linked up with the Reds' Championship rivals Coventry City on loan for the remainder of the season.

Ismael remains indebted to the impact made by James, who was afforded a precious run of first-team games after being on the fringes at Leicester for the past few seasons.

But he is comfortable with the decision not to extend the loan of James for the rest of 2020-21, while acknowledging it was not an easy one.

Ismael commented: "It was our decision and not an easy decision. You can see our defensive midfield is an area where we have a young of young guys and it was a decision to make for the guys.

"We have to give a chance to our younger players - Herbie Kane, Romal Palmer and Alex Mowatt. Callum Styles can also play in this position. We made a decision for us and the club to improve and that is why we have had to take this decision.

"He made a great job with his skills and experience and I think he tried to quickly implement the principles on the pitch to lead the young guys and it was a pleasure to work with him and I am very delighted that we helped Matty James to come back into his old form.

"That is why he had a lot of opportunities to sign and it was a good feeling that it was a win-win situation for all of us, the club and Matty James. Now I wish him good luck and we will find a way without him."