Fringe members of Roy Keane’s squad are being lined up for loans ahead of the transfer window opening in January. Chief executive Simon Clegg says he hopes to secure their moves before Christmas so he, Keane and club owner Marcus Evans can concentrate on negotiating permanent deals once the window is open.
Clegg says the trio have already talked about their January plans: "We’ve had discussions about what may or may not happen, but it’s still early days.
"What I would like to do is put the loan deals to bed over the next week before Christmas so that anyone who is going out on loan can prepare themselves for however long they’re going to be away.
"Then we can leave the January window to concentrate on transfers as opposed to loans.”
Clegg says the likes of Pim Balkestein, currently with Brentford, and Jack Ainsley, at Rushden, could have their spells extended, while other players are also likely to make short-term moves: "Those that are out on loan at the moment and those that might be going out on loan.
"There are a number of people who are interested in some of our players. Whether Roy is prepared to let them go out and whether I can reach a financial deal which is worth our while are the two big ifs.”
Earlier in the week, Colin Healy was linked with a possible move to Hartlepool, who tried to sign him from Cork City in the summer, while youngsters such as Ed Upson, Reggie Lambe and Ronan Murray could all also be targeted by lower league clubs.
Jaime Peters put pen to paper on a new three-year deal on Tuesday and Clegg says talks with other members of the first team squad will be taking place soon: "It would be irresponsible not to. They need to know where they stand vis-Ã -vis new contracts with this club or, where appropriate, we should make it clear that they should be moving on.”
American trialist Devann Yao was recently offered a contract by the Blues and Clegg says the club are continuing to discuss the compensation due to some of the clubs the 19-year-old midfielder was with as youth player. New Yorker Yao spent three years with French side Metz, six months each with Italian clubs Livorno and Pisa as well as a short spell with St Mirren in Scotland.
Clegg says if agreements can be reached, Yao will join: "There are a few complications which we are working through, it’s not as straightforward as it appeared initially. If we can get to a satisfactory outcome we’ll be in a position to sign him.”
However, Clegg says it‘s looking less likely that Senegalese trialist Ibrahima Faye will be joining Town with his lack of recent international caps making securing a work permit difficult: "That one is still live but it’s looking increasingly unlikely.”
The Town chief executive says the club are yet to look at whether to extend Jack Colback and Stern John’s loan spells with the club.