Town boss Kieran McKenna says he still expects some movement both in and out before the transfer window closes on September 1st but with no new addition close.

McKenna has previously said that winger Kyle Edwards can move either permanently or on loan, while he is continuing to weigh-up whether to send centre-half Elkan Baggott and midfielder Cameron Humphreys out on loan.

Quizzed on whether any moves out are imminent, McKenna said: “Nothing closer. It is going to take a good and suitable offer for the player and for the club for any of those exits to happen. And there hasn’t been anything like that so far.”

Might Baggott’s exit depend on another central defender coming in? “We have our three most natural centre-halves from last season [Luke Woolfenden, Cameron Burgess and George Edmundson] all fit.

“Luke and Cameron are playing very well and George is now feeling much better and training well.

“We have Dominic [Ball] who can play in that position as well. Of course, Elkan gives us good cover and an option in that position at the moment.

“As I’ve said, he is improving game by game. One area in any decisions we’ll make around a young player’s future will be the strength of the squad at the moment.

“But in the situation at the moment, that’s certainly not the only criteria around whether Elkan stays with the squad this season. It’s a number of different factors.”

Town have signed four players this summer, midfielder Jack Taylor, keeper Cieran Slicker, striker George Hirst and loan forward Omari Hutchinson.

Does the Blues’ existing strength in depth mean the club can be more selective when looking for further additions?
 
“I think that was the case whether we had started the season well or not,” McKenna reflected. “We have 24 outfielders training this week and they are all training really well and know their jobs really well. I would trust any of them to play this weekend.

“In that way, we are in a better position than maybe teams who have turned over a lot of their squad and have had to add players to get the depth of their group to where they want it to be for a season. We are already in that position.

“That doesn’t change the fact that to be really competitive in this league, then we feel like we want to, and need to, add quality to this group.

“But again it has to be the right players at the right price that will fit into the group and improve what we have - and that pool isn’t so big.

“But we are working hard, we are continuing to have conversations and we are continuing, I think, to conduct ourselves with honesty and integrity in those conversations.

“That will stand us in good stead in the long term and we hope over the next couple of weeks we can add to the group.

“But at the same time, we are in a position where we have a strong squad who are fighting really hard for the club. I trust them to go out on the pitch every weekend to give their best and that’s certainly goes a long way as well.”

Anything near to being done? “There is nothing very close. There are a few weeks left in the window and as much as you want things done early, it’s not always the case.

“I’d still expect there to be some movement, both ways, over the next couple of weeks, but we aren’t always in control of when that is.

“For now, the absolute priority is continuing to work really hard with the very good and competitive group of players that we have here. They are fighting each day and each week for a shirt and I will back them boys to continue to do so.”

Photo: TWTD

Europablue added 15:41 - Aug 17 I'd be fine with the squad we have now tbh, so I'd only welcome a new player if they are a level above who we already have.
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Bazza8564 added 16:11 - Aug 17 It's a very straight bat answer and we all know KM can say nothing else to maintain the integrity for MA doing things in secret. Thats entirely correct although it starves us of the gossip we all crave. Im desperate for info but happy to wait
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OldFart71 added 16:55 - Aug 17 It's imperative that although we know there's a large pot of cash behind Gamechanger that sensible offers for players are put in and that sensible offers are received for those going out. No knee jerk reaction if we don't get who we want. Better to wait, than regret. We already have four through the door, a couple more in case of injuries, suspensions etc would be great, but still about three weeks to go I believe until the window closes ?

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itfckenty added 17:08 - Aug 17 I'm very happy with the squad we have too, but if some of the younger ones are not quite there yet and we can get someone in who has experience, then it's definitely a good opportunity. Even a loan player, who can just offer something different on a gameday. As Jackson proved, subs can be very effective and we need good depth.
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Stu_boy added 18:55 - Aug 17 2 weeks to go, we have a good squad as it is but if we can bring in a couple more to add depth at the back and in attack then that would definitely help.
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ArnieM added 18:58 - Aug 17 So, essentially, when we see Baggott going out on loan, it’ll mean we have a new CB coming in.
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Lightningboy added 19:06 - Aug 17 We def need a back-up to Hirst...I know Ladapo scored 20 goals (in League 1) but his work rate can be appalling at times.
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Murphys_Law added 19:31 - Aug 17 Freddie’s work rate in question! I despair. If you don’t work in KMc’s team you don’t play.
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BurleysGloryDays added 19:43 - Aug 17 Such a good communicator
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Monkey_Blue added 20:36 - Aug 17 I have no anxiety over whether we add to the squad. It’s child like to want signings for the sake of signings and to compare spends vs parachute teams and those that have sold for large fees or have idiots as owners who gamble a clubs future to chase the quick Premier league buck or for their ego. McKenna won’t worry about getting players in, it will be who we get in.

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blues1 added 22:21 - Aug 17 Lightningboy .Another fantastic who doesntcget it. Ladapo looks like he's not working at times, bcse, like Jason dozzell, he has a long loping stride, which makes him look like he's just srolling around at times, when actually , he isn't at all
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Linkboy13 added 11:36 - Aug 19 It's much more difficult competing in the transfer market now we are in the championship. You are buying higher quality which means bigger bucks and teams are not going to give their players away cheaply and with the owners not prepared to over spend it a bit of a stumbling block.
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suffolkblueeye added 19:37 - Aug 31 Blues1: long stride, ha ha you joker !
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