Top scorer John O'Flynn, 16 goals in 32 starts and five appearances as a substitute this season, looks set to return for Barnet in this Saturday's significant home game against promotion-hopeful Rotherham United.

The Irishman, who has netted 34 times in 66 games since joining the Bees from Cork City last season, has missed the last six games with a knee injury.

Fellow striker Jake Hyde, who missed the second half with an ankle injury after scoring the Barnet goal against Dagenham & Redbridge, is also like to return against fourth placed Rotherham.

"I could have the luxury of three strikers for two positions instead of having to play a 41-year-old up front as I did at Bradford City", said manager Ian Hendon.

Assuming that Grimsby Town win all three of their remaining games, the Bees need two points from their remaining four games to ensure League 2 status.

Barnet are seven points ahead of Grimsby with a game in hand and a goal difference of minus 13 to 27 in their favour. They have won seven and drawn 10 of their games at Underhill this season - they have lost one less at home than already promoted Rochdale.

With attendances at Underhill slipping to an average 1,945 this season, including away fans, the club are appealing to the stay-away fans to help boost the crowd against Rotherham to act as a "12th man" in support of Hendon's side.

Despite the fact that defeats in the last three games have produced a nail-biting finale to the season when one victory could have made them comfortable, 338 Bees supporters travelled to Dagenham and 159 to Bradford.

Although video replays showed that Bradford's added time winner was played onside by Micah Hyde, the travelling fans applauded a battling display by the Bees, for whom stand-in central defender Kenny Gillet was the star man in his 100th appearance for the club.


Dennis Signy