THINGS have got so rough at Barnsley that new manager Nigel Spackman is considering putting his boots on again to help them out of relegation danger.

The struggling Tykes have lost the services of five midfield men to leave their squad severley depleted.

So despite the fact that Spackman has turned 40 and hasn't played for three years, the former Chelsea, Liverpool and Rangers midfielder is contemplating a comeback.

"I may have no other choice but to put myself on the playing staff. It is not something I particularly want to do. I am not that fit.

"But with five midfield players out with long-term injuries there is no one left to turn to," said Spackman, who took over the reins at Oakwell at the start of last week following the departure of Dave Bassett.

"That is why it is looking as though I'm going to have to register myself as a player.

"We are down to the bare bones. We will try to get players in on loan in the next few weeks, but it doesn't happen overnight," he added.

Spackman's comments may be slightly tongue-in-cheek and there won't be a dramatic playing return against Burnley at Turf Moor tomorrow.

But the Tykes' new boss, back in management for the first time since quitting as Sheffield United chief in 1998 after just nine months in charge, has made it clear how desperate he is to make up for the absence of Mitch Ward, Robbie Van Der Laan, Eric Tinkler, Darren Barnard, Matty Appleby and the departed Stuart Ripley.

To compound matters, Barnsley have failed to replace summer departures Craig Hignett and Nicky Eaden as last season's play-off finalists have become First Division strugglers.

Midfielder play-maker Ian Bishop is wanted by Spackman after being handed a free transfer by Manchester City, as well as Bradford City striker Isiah Rankin to boost a strike-rate that has dipped alarmingly.

Barnsley come to Burnley with just one win in seven League games -- a last-gasp 1-0 victory over the Clarets on Boxing Day -- and only three goals in eight matches.

Two of those were in a losing home defeat to Birmingham in Spackman's first game in charge last Saturday and the manager has come clean over the club's current predicament.

"We have got a relegation fight on our hands and supporters must stick behind us," he admitted.

"They were very quiet against Birmingham early on and that's acceptable because we were 2-0 down at half-time.

"We were lucky not to be further behind because of their penalty when Kevin Miller made a good save.

"It's going to be an uphill task but the crowd has to stick with us and with the players because that's all we have here."

Barnsley are just four points above the relegation zone with only one away win to their credit this season.

However, Spackman, who beat off competition from Steve Bruce and Jan Molby to land the job, still felt it was too good an opportunity to miss in his quest to get back into management after working within the England coaching set-up and as television pundit.

"It gives me an ideal opportunity," he said Spackman.

"The set-up here is very good. I was here to do my UEFA coaching, I live in Sheffield and it is very convenient. The first thing is to get as high up the table as possible.

"I have a few commitments with Sky, but taking this job on is a 100 per cent commitment."

"I have enjoyed my work with Sky and England, it has been good for me, but it is time to get back and get a full-time job, a proper job."

The Barnsley post has become something of a poisoned challice in recent times, however, following Danny Wilson's departure to Sheffield Wednesday in 1998 after the club's one season in the Premiership.

John Hendrie lasted just a season and Bassett a season-and-a-half despite taking the Yorkshire outfit to Wembley for the first time in their history last May.

However, expectation levels at Oakwell remain high and Spackman is the one looking to deliver the goods.

"In time I will want to bring in people I know with experience to help me. I have a big job on my hands here. But with time you never know what will happen," he said.