Tykes agree Shuker fee

Barnsley have agreed a fee with Premiership side Manchester City for young striker Chris Shuker.

The Tykes will now hold talks with the 21-year-old over a permanent switch to Oakwell, with Shuker having fallen well down the pecking order with Kevin Keegan's side.

The hit-man has spent much of this season on loan, with Rochdale and Hartlepool United being his temporary stops.

He returned to The City of Manchester Stadium last week from his spell at Victoria Park, but he looks set for a return to Division Two football with Paul Hart's side.

"We are pretty close to signing Chris Shuker at the moment and I hope it will be finalised later today (Tuesday)," Hart told Barnsley's official website.

"Chris is a player that I have looked at for the last two years. I have seen him play wide on the right and behind the front men but his energy and imagination have kept me interested for a long period of time.

"Chris is an imaginative player and has great ability, so he will give us a bit of a lift."

The addition of Shuker will be timely for The Tykes, who have lost fellow hit-man Michael Boulding and defender Robbie Williams for four to six weeks with knee injuries sustained in the 2-1 defeat at Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday last Saturday.