Blues boss Kieran McKenna kept his cards close to his chest when quizzed on reports of loan interest in Chelsea youngster Omari Hutchinson following this evening's 2-1 victory at Preston North End.

Asked whether any further additions to his squad are close, McKenna said he was due to check in with CEO Mark Ashton.

“I’m not certain, to be honest,” he said. “I’ll have to catch up with Mark now after the game.

“I know they’ve been working on some things this week, there were some things a little bit closer but I can’t give any exact updates on where we’re at, my full focus has been on this game.

“The players have got a day off now tomorrow, so I can turn my attention towards what’s going on on that side.”

According to various sources, Town have been in advanced talks with forward Hutchinson, 19, regarding a loan with some reports even outlining the terms of a proposed deal with the West Londoners insisting on a January recall.

Hutchinson is understood to have other suitors in addition to Town - West Brom were keen in January - with Chelsea said to be ready to make a decision before the end of the week.

Quizzed on the Jamaica international, the Blues boss said: “No, until there’s anything definite, my focus has been on Preston today, until there’s anything definite from the club, then we certainly wouldn’t talk about another club’s player. I’ll get updated on that tomorrow.”

Town were forced to field players out of position due to the absences of defenders Harry Clarke, George Edmundson and Janoi Donacien, but McKenna says he’s not looking to add players in that area of the squad just to increase numbers.

“We’re not far away all over the pitch, to be honest,” he reflected. “We don’t need to bring bodies in, we don’t need to buffer it out with defenders, we have good centre-halves, we’ve got people who can play centre-half, we have two good full-backs in each position, so we don’t need to bring bodies in and buffer out the squad.

“But if there’s quality that we can add that can improve us and add different qualities, then we want to do that, and we’re looking to do that.

“It’s not so much about a numbers issue, the squad’s in a good place but we want to improve from a position of strength, push forward and we’ve said all along we’re going to try and do that in this window.”

Photo: Action Images

Karlosfandangal added 23:12 - Jul 19 So there is not many new players arriving, which means KMK is happy with the squad. I feel Town have players who showed last year they are ready for the Championship
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PavlovsCat added 23:16 - Jul 19 Clearly McKenna is unconcerned about any defensive frailties which may occur ahead of the season. His desire to play on the front foot and cause problems for the opposition’s defence is paramount.
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Gforce added 23:28 - Jul 19 Most positions are covered,with two quality players for most positions.However we definitely need another striker of top championship quality,as if Hirst is out injured for any length of time we are on trouble. Decent cover for Burns is also needed, as Jackson definitely not good enough for championship football,especially if we have ambitions for the top six.
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Kentish_Tractor added 00:56 - Jul 20 I still think we need a new first choice CB to play alongside Wolf. Burgess is OK and will be fine against the lower and more physical teams in the division or to shore up a match, but I think he will be found out by the faster or more skillful teams. I think KMc hasn't ruled one out. He says we're not looking to add just for the sake of numbers, but not that were not looking to add there entirely - which to me reading between the lines means we're looking for a new first choice CB. Also his response about an imminent signing to me suggests Hutchinson is close and will hopefully be in by end of the week to challenge Wes on RW.

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DeliasMashedPotato added 06:54 - Jul 20 Gforce I felt the same about Jackson but he was outstanding last night. He's quick and very good on the ball but always felt his final ball was wasteful. But that final ball was there last night and was causing Preston a nightmare down the right
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Flamencaman added 07:44 - Jul 20 KMc & staff have improved all the players at the club maybe Jackson has also been working on his frailties, he’s already a hard worker, maybe a bit of class now
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BlueRuin69 added 07:51 - Jul 20 Some being harsh on Jackson. I think he has improved a lot especially since moving to right wing.
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Julesblueblood added 08:40 - Jul 20 Definitely need a LCB , I also noticed the improvement in Jackson s awareness when crossing the ball for chappers Goal , before he would just cross without looking , but yesterday he looked around before passing , which makes a massive difference, thought Harness looked Sharpe and Aluko , think we could do with 3 more quality players to finish the squad until January if we need more , LCB , Someone to compete with burns and another striker ...

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blues1 added 08:51 - Jul 20 Kentishtractor. What? Burgess was outstanding last season. No coincidence that when he took over from edmondson, we stopped conceding goals. Has played in the championship before as well, so knows what it's about.
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blues1 added 08:53 - Jul 20 Jules blueblood. We do need another cb, but not necessarily on the left side. Unless that would guarantee edmondson not playing that side. Burgess was excellent last season, and has played in the championship before. He'll be fine there
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Naylorsrightboot added 08:59 - Jul 20 We do need an experienced centre half. Edmundson is always injured, lm not sure Burgess is up to Championship football either. That leaves us very short at centre half. I know JD and Ball can do a job if need be, but long term l think we definitely need to strengthen in that area.
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algarvefan added 09:39 - Jul 20 I do wish people would stop having a go at Jackson, K McK has him as a regular in match day squads, if he was useless do you think he would do that? Anyone who saw his performance against Preston last night would tell you how dangerous he looked on the wing. Also you could never doubt his effort or commitment. he plays wherever he is asked and should command more respect.

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bobble added 10:49 - Jul 20 jackson...yawnnn
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parhamblue added 10:57 - Jul 20 If Pigott leaves and Baggott and Hayes go out on loan as is the announced intention, that will reduce our squad to 23 out of a maximum 25 (plus underage players Humphreys and Slicker). So on that basis it is going to be two out of a desired three: Winger/wide man; Centre back; striker. We really need all three but can't have them unless another player is sold, released or loaned, or we sign an underage player. That said, Ladapo just goes about his business and can alternate with Hirst, but if one is injured or horribly out of form, we suffer. We had an injury problem in the centre midfield last season that's unlikely to be repeated, so otherwise we are overloaded there.

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oldelsworthyfan added 11:54 - Jul 20 Jackson is a much improved player under McKenna who uses Jackson's pace where it is most effective - out on the right wing. Good enough for McKenna is good enough for me.
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