Bogdanovic welcomes Mifsud's signing

Daniel Bogdanovic is excited by the prospect of forging an all-Maltese striking tandem with Michael Mifsud at Barnsley.

"First and foremost, I do believe that the team needs a player of Michael's calibre," Bogdanovic, who joined Barnsley from Lokomotiv Sofia last week, told The Times.

"Michael has got talent and good players are always welcome because they help to make our team stronger. I'm also delighted to have a Maltese player as one of my team-mates at Barnsley."

Bogdanovic is also confident that their partnership at Oakwell Stadium would have a positive effect on the national team.

"Having two Maltese players turning out for the same team in England is a plus for the national side," Bogdanovic remarked.

"The coach has indicated that his plan is for Michael and I to lead the team's attack. Provided we get the chance to play alongside each other on a regular basis, our understanding on the pitch can only improve and this would in turn benefit the national team.

"I'd also love to think that our move to Barnsley will help to enhance the image of Maltese football and create new opportunities for the country's up-and-coming youngsters."

Unlike Mifsud, Bogdanovic is still something of an unknown quantity in English football but he certainly did his reputation no harm by scoring on his Barnsley debut in last week's 2-1 home defeat to Ipswich Town.

"Everything happened so quickly," Bogdanovic said of his move to Barnsley yesterday week.

"I had the medical, signed the contract and the next day I was in the team for the match against Ipswich.

"I was happy to score on my debut. I was later told that I had been named player of the match and that really was the cherry on the cake."

Bogdanovic, who turns 29 next month, played no part in Barnsley's 2-0 defeat to Bristol City last weekend as he is recovering from injury. The former Sliema and Marsaxlokk striker had an MRI yesterday to check if his rehab from a hamstring problem is going according to plan but he is definitely out of today's trip to Sheffield Wednesday.

Four defeats in the last four matches have seen Barnsley plummet to 19th place in the 24-team standings but Bogdanovic is confident the team will salvage their status.

"I am convinced that Barnsley will stay up," he said. "The team's performances of late have been positive but we've had problems scoring goals. Hopefully, that will change in the next matches."