Keates, who has seen his side lose their last two league outings - to Portsmouth and Sunderland respectively - could guide the Saddlers out of the dropzone with victory in their midday kick-off against the Tykes, piling pressure on the Reds' relegation rivals in the process.
Speaking via the Express & Star, Dean said; "If I’m honest it probably will. We have now got a massive game against Barnsley. We kick off early and if we can go and get three points it puts everyone else under pressure.
"That is the way we are looking at it this week. We will prepare right, we are disappointed with the last two results but we can’t be downhearted.
"It’s been fine margins, against Sunderland we gave an opportunity to a multi-million pound striker (former Saddler Will Grigg) and he’s taken it. But I thought we did enough to get a point from the game."