Town chief executive Derek Bowden says that manager Joe Royle has cash available to bring in players. Royle has been on the look-out for loan signings but as yet none of his targets have become available.

Bowden says: "The board approved funds for Joe to go out and get a player some time ago.

"That could be for loan players, or even to buy at the right price. The frustrating thing, though, is that even though the money is there, the right players have not been available so far.

"I'm sure we will get a new player in sooner or later, but it has to be the right one."

Royle is understood to be looking for a defender and a midfielder with his squad short of players in both these areas.

In the summer the Town manager targeted Arsenal youngster Justin Hoyte but the Gunners' failure to sign Ajax's Hatem Trabelsi scuppered the season-long loan deal for the central defender or full-back.

In midfield, Royle brought in Wigan's Tony Dinning for two months but the former Stockport and Wolves man failed to impress.

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