Barnsley boss Keith Hill released a statement to the supporters today, via the Oakwell Club's official website.

It read: "We've been unfortunate that we've lost two of our most influential players in Butterfield and Drinkwater. It's a big hit for any team.

"From myself and Flicker's perspective we're losing players when we're not expecting to.

"The timing of losing players can have a massive effect on our future successes as a football club.

"I do believe if Jacob hadn't have been injured, he would have been subject to high money bids from Premier League and higher-league Championship clubs.

"It's easy to understand why this club's lost momentum over the last five seasons at this time of the year. I don't want it to happen. I want to make an impact to make sure we're moving and making progress into the next season.

"I was disappointed against Millwall – it's probably one of the worst we've had all season, especially after a great display and result at Leicester. 

"The players will be forgiven and we've got to progress into the Derby game.

"We're trying to preach the right messages for us to go into next season. It's important we try and lead this squad into next season. It starts with the Derby game. It's a big game for us.

"We're 12 points clear of the bottom three and seven away from the top seven so it was disappointing to lose the game in the manner we did against Millwall - they did a job on us. We were very slow in our transitions and our offensive front four weren't very creative last weekend.

"It was a bad display. It's something I want to change. From looking really, really solid, we are starting to concede quite a few goals now but we're scoring a lot of goals and creating opportunities. It's important we re-gain that balance.

"We know what goes on in the transfer market, we know players can be influenced by Managers, agents and clubs. But that's football.

"The supporters can play a massive part in the development of this club. Sometimes people need to take a step back and say thank you to Partick (Cryne) and for what he's done for this club because they've got a team to support. We're financially viable and we're not bad when we're at our best on a matchday.

"It's difficult and frustrating at times. We know where we are and we know where we need to be. But we've got to do it cleverly and progressively. Look at the money Ipswich are trying to spend now to get out of trouble. They're bidding £2million for two players. Leicester can take Danny Drinkwater off us and then get Nathan Delfouneso then they're looking at Ben Marshall from Stoke. We're in a different market but we're very close in the league.

"These players are giving everything they possibly can. The atmosphere in the stadium will affect the players, in both a negative way and a positive play.

"We all know the frustrations of being a supporter, it's no difference to being a Manager but it's no good taking it out on the players as, ultimately, they'll be responsible for the success of the football club."