Town boss Paul Hurst says he’s received few calls so far pushing free agent strikers in his direction, the Blues having lost frontmen Jon Walters and Ellis Harrison to injury in the last week. Hurst is also not yet considering recalling striker Aaron Drinan from his spell with Vanarama National League Sutton United.

The Blues manager says everyone feels for summer signing Harrison, who ruptured a ligament in his ankle in training, Walters having been ruled out for the rest of his loan with an achilles injury earlier in the same week.

“I’ve just seen [Ellis] in there and I’m sure is down about it but he’s not really showing that outwardly and that’s a testament to the sort of character he is,” Hurst said.

“And he’ll still very much have his part to play in the dressing room and around the place. He’s a cheery character and we just wish him the speediest recovery he can have.

“I think he’s due to see a specialist on Wednesday when we’ll find out a little bit more, whether it’s definitive, in terms of a timeframe, I’m not quite sure, but as I said the other day an absolutely minimum of two months.

“Hopefully that’s what it will be in the end and we can get him back training and back playing.”

Town’s only route to add to their squad before January is via the free agent market but Hurst says he’s not had too many agents on the phone reminding him of their player’s availability.

“No, I’m aware of a couple, but how many there are out there [I don’t know],” he said. “So no, it’s not like before the window shut certainly.

“We’ll keep looking, but at the minute the priority is the game and then arrangements ready for our long trip to Swansea.

“But people are looking at things and will be taking calls etc to see if there’s anything which can help us along the way.”

He says he’s not yet considering recalling Drinan, 20, from National League Sutton, where he is yet to score in four league starts and eight sub appearances.

“Not at the minute, in truth. We’ve got Kayden Jackson and we’ve got Freddie Sears, admittedly not a similar type to what we’ve lost or to Aaron.

“Maybe it’s a chance for them to have a run of games, certainly one of them and then along the way if nothing does change, it might be a case of giving a younger player an opportunity.

“So, we’ll see how the situation develops and how we’re going, but certainly one thing is that we don’t want to suffer another injury in that department, so fingers crossed we won’t get that.”

Hurst says the facility to recall Drinan is available to him, although the same isn’t the case with Ben Morris, who is with League Two Forest Green Rovers, while Ben Folami is currently away with the Australia U19s.

“I think with Aaron’s we can but there’s a few out on loan. I don’t know [if we will look to do that]. If it really comes to it and I think that’s the best course of action then that’s what we’ll look at.

“But at the minute, while we haven’t got tons of options, I want to focus on what we have got and hopefully we can get performances out of them and the team to help us get the results we want.”

Hurst says Jack Lankester, 17, could come into his thoughts for a place in the squad having impressed in the U23s this season.

“Possibly, he’s certainly been bright since I joined the football club,” he said. “I think every time I’ve watched him he’s done something.

“It’s not always been over the course of the game, but he’s always had moments and he’s scored a couple of goals.

“I’ve mentioned before that we gave him the pro contract and he’s got something about him that’s very likeable as well as some quality on the pitch.

“That might be someone [who could come into my thoughts]. He’ll play for the U23s today but he’s not off the radar that’s for sure.”

Photo: TWTD

busterjames1 added 22:36 - Oct 1 Promote Gerard Nash and Chris Hogg and use Burley as adirector of football
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frantblue added 08:47 - Oct 2 Berbatov and Robbie Keane Yes please !!!!!! Let's get a couple of big name players in wanting one last hurrah
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oldegold added 12:59 - Oct 2 It's not working, is it ? All bleak..we have become a real joke not only on the pitch but off it. All loanees and no home grown talent...
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dalianwasexciting added 15:45 - Oct 2 We are clearly short in the striking department and were before the injuries, now it has become critical, imagine if Jackson gets crocked tonight? Surely we know the players who could come in at this point and do a job. Most are ageing or not very good so its a straight up choice (as far as I am concerned) between the Darren Bent type free agent or giving Lankester a run-out. Short sighted policy, presumably by PH, to let Morris go on loan particularly after a lively cameo against Blackburn, and of course with no recall on him. Drinan has played 14 for Sutton with no goals so would be a concern, but as said above its hard to know if PH is going to persist with one up front.

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