Barnsley are preparing for another season in League One following their play-off semi-final defeat to Bolton Wanderers. The Trotters then fell 2-0 to Oxford United at Wembley Stadium over the weekend, with Josh Murphy scoring both goals.
The Tykes are now without a permanent manager after sacking Neill Collins last month. Martin Devaney finished last season as temporary manager, and the team is currently looking for a replacement.
According to the Barnsley Chronicle, the Yorkshire club may seek a temporary release for either Cotter, Lofthouse, or O’Keeffe this summer because they do not need three right-backs in their roster. Offloading one would allow up space and finances to bring in another player in a different role.
Cotter joined Barnsley in January 2023 and is under contract until June 2026.
This past season, he appeared in 40 games across all competitions and scored four goals.
Prior to joining his current club, the former Ipswich Town player played in Ireland for Shamrock Rovers.
Lofthouse, 23, signed a three-year contract with the Tykes in July of last year.
However, he has played only three times for their first-team so far. He was shipped out on loan to Gateshead and then MK Donz last term to get some game time under his belt.
The Oxford native began his career at Oxford United before spending two years in the National League with Woking.
O’Keeffe has been a regular for Barnsley since leaving Forest Green Rovers less than a year ago.
The Birmingham City academy graduate, who formerly played for Mansfield Town and Rochdale, has three goals in 45 Tykes appearances.
Lofthouse appears to be the most probable of the three players to go on loan.
Cotter and O’Keeffe both played a lot last season under Collins, and it would be surprising if one of them left.
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