Lee Crooks has warned his jeering mates: I'll have the last laugh tonight.

Crooks returns to Oakwell with City for the first time since leaving Barnsley in the summer.

The banter has been flying about in the build-up and the midfielder is desperate to come out on top in front of the Sky cameras.

Crooks said: "There are a lot of Barnsley fans around the area where I live and the stick has been going on for a couple of weeks.

"I've been winding a few up over the weekend and it will probably

continue before the game. I know I'll get hammered if we get beaten

but I've no intention of that happening."

Crooks, who made 73 appearances for Barnsley, admitted it was the first fixture he had looked for after joining City.

"I didn't play against them at home so I'm really looking forward to going back to Oakwell. It will be nice to see friends again and all my family will be there.

"But the main thing is going down there and getting the win. Then I can dish out the stick afterwards."

After a slow start to his City career, Crooks has started the last 11 games since Tom Kearney's injury. But he admits that Craig Armstrong's arrival will keep him and Steve Schumacher on his toes.

"It's good for the club to have that competition but I'm enjoying my football. It was a matter of working hard, training hard and playing hard to make it my place and now I want to stay there.

"We're only a few points off the play-offs, so if we can put a good run together there's no reason why we can't make it."

Draw specialists Barnsley are unbeaten in two months but City are chasing an eighth away win. They are also protecting a perfect winning record against Yorkshire neighbours.

Crooks added: "Barnsley are on a good run but they'll know how well we play away and will be a bit worried. We were upset about being 2-0 up against Torquay and throwing it away but you can't keep thinking about that.

"It's a long time from two Saturday ago to tonight and we want to put things back how they should be.

"We've got a few good games coming up with Tranmere at home on Saturday and then MK Dons on the Tuesday. We should be looking for maximum points from the next three.

"I've just got to make sure I don't go in the wrong dressing room tonight! It's going to be a strange game for me but hopefully it will be a good one."

Peter Atherton is expected to make only his third start of the season in place of thigh victim Darren Holloway at right back. Lewis Emanuel is fit again and could take over from Owen Morrison.