Boss Paul Hurst has confirmed Martyn Waghorn’s Town departure is edging closer as are some of his moves to bring players in, but poured cold water on reports that Jonas Knudsen is set to join Stoke and says he’ll look at the situation with Bolton target Joe Garner.
"That looks like it’s edging more to a conclusion,” Hurst said when quizzed about Waghorn, who was left out of the 18 today. "Let’s not kid ourselves what that conclusion will probably be.
"And as a result I didn’t think it was fair on the player, I didn’t think it was fair on my group of players or us as a football club to involve him.
"That was the reason why he wasn’t involved but again we’ll see what the next hours and days bring but thankfully Thursday’s getting a little bit closer even while I’m talking.”
Hurst wouldn’t comment on the club who are set to sign Waghorn, but we understand it will be either Derby or Middlesbrough with the Rams appearing the favourites.
"I don’t think that’s my place to, in all honesty, but I’m sure we’ll all find out soon enough,” he said.
Hurst hinted that the Blues may ultimately take a fee lower than their valuation of Waghorn.
"I think we have to make a decision that we think’s right,” he continued. ”Whether or not it’s quite met the valuation that we really feel [it should].
"But ultimately, as I’ve said and have said from the start, we’ve got to make decisions that are best for this football club and not everyone’s going to agree with them.
"I understand that but what I would say is they’re not in my shoes or the owner’s shoes and understand about all the intricacies around people’s situations.
"So, as I’ve said before, without rushing it, the sooner it is concluded the better. And while I understand the questions and respect them, I want us to be talking about players that have been out on the football pitch and that are part of this squad, and that’s while I’ll be pleased when the window is done overall rather than speculating about who is coming in or who is leaving.”
Shrewsbury pair Jon Nolan and Toto Nsiala were also both left out today as was Blackpool defender Curtis Tilt, while Kayden Jackson played for Accrington.
Asked whether he was getting closer to landing some of those targets, he said: "I think some are kind of edging more in our favour. Whether it’s the players, whether it’s the clubs they’re at, whether it’s us, things can change.
"You could have a deal set up and today there have been games, which I don’t like in respect that someone might suffer some injuries and then they think, ‘We just can’t let you go’, scenarios can change. A player might have got injured today. hopefully there’s not.
"Those are the things I’ll be looking at and trying to get updates on and see where we’re at."
He says he would be straight back on the phone as soon as the press conference was over.
"I could do with five minutes’ breather but I’m sure they’ll be some messages and some calls to make,” he added.
Hurst says he’s keen to add players with his bench today rather more youthful than Blackburn’s.
"In numbers in one respect we’ve got a squad there,” he reflected. "Straight away I glanced at a couple of squads today and they’ve got five subs, so we’re in a better position in some respects.
"But not being disrespectful to our own players, looking at the benches, if you looked at Blackburn’s bench and you looked at ours there’s was certainly a stronger bench in truth, more seasoned players.
"We were quite young on there in general, certainly not much Championship experience. We will look to add to the squad and make it stronger, that’s what it’s about and again hopefully the next few days will see us do that.”
Hurst says no significance should be drawn from Knudsen’s post match applause towards the fans in several stands on his way off.
"I don’t know that that’s not unusual or any different from what he would normally do,” he said.
"What I would say is to my knowledge that’s not going to be happening. Every time I’ve watched Jonas in the past and speaking to people about him and seeing him first-hand now, he’s a fully committed player and I certainly didn’t see anything in his performance today that would suggest he’s got something else on his mind.
"If there is then credit to him for his performance today. But, no, I went and clapped the fans and I’m not planning on leaving. Hopefully it’s just a similar situation to my own.”
Last night it was reported that Bolton had made a six-figure offer for Joe Garner and Hurst says he is aware of the Trotters’ interest.
"I think [Bolton manager] Phil Parkinson came out [and revealed his interest], I think I read that somewhere, I don’t know if they were direct quotes.
"But, we’ll look at that situation. As always, if we feel it’s the right thing to do we’ll look at it, if it’s not then Joe will stay with us.”