Thanks to his prodigious goal scoring rate at reserve level, he was expected to make his first team debut in the 2005–06 season. He was due to make his debut in the match against Charlton Athletic on 5 February 2006. Tottenham were leading 3–0 until a Charlton goal in the 69th minute meant Martin Jol did not want to bring on another striker so Barnard had to wait. Following the match he suffered a foot sprain which kept him out of action for 5 weeks, only returning for the reserve match against Leicester City on 18 March.