Much-touted Barking boy (and nephew of Bobby, whom older readers might recall) who missed Derby's torrid top-flight ordeal
A promising young midfielder who has been linked with a host of Premier League clubs (including Spurs, Aston Villa, Newcastle and West Ham), Barnes made his Derby debut as a 17-year-old in 2005, and was given an extended run in the side following the appointment of his former youth boss Terry Westley as manager.
Thrust into central midfield, his all-action displays and fearlessness in possession soon drew admiring glances. A defensively sound 6ft midfielder who can also score goals, he set up the Play-Off final-winning goal as the Rams secured promotion to the Premier League in 2006/07, but any chance of a move was scuppered when it was discovered that he had been playing with a broken foot.
Injury problems then destroyed his Premier League chances during Derby's ill-fated top-flight sojourn; a knee operation ended his season early and he looks likely to miss the start of the 2008/09 season. Barnes has played 12 times for the England U19 side, scoring seven goals.
After Derby's relegation to the Championship, Barnes again struggled with injuries at the beginning of the season. He soon showed off his ability with 2 goals against Manchester Utd at Old Trafford in the League Cup. This brought Barnes back to the attention of the Premier League and he was loaned by Fulham with a view to sign the England U21 player permanently at the end of the 2008/09 season.