Town boss Kieran McKenna says keeping the existing squad intact during the January transfer window is “set in stone”.

The Blues’ impressive first half of the season has led to Premier League clubs running the rule over their first-team regulars but McKenna says Town have no intention of letting anyone move on in this window.

“I think that's pretty clear,” he said. “One priority going into every window is keeping your group together if you're doing well. That's set in stone for us, to be honest.

“Anything that we bring in, of course, we've lost an important player, but other than that, anything that we bring in will hopefully add to what's already here.”

Earlier in the week, keeper Vaclav Hladky’s agent revealed that the Czech had received some interest from other clubs, with Celtic having been linked, but with an extension to his Town terms, which are up in the summer, and promotion his priority.

Quizzed on a longer-term deal for the 33-year-old, McKenna added: “All these discussions are not at the forefront of my mind. They'll be for once we get through this period and be also partly for [CEO] Mark [Ashton] and the club to discuss with representatives.

“My focus is on helping the group prepare for the next game and trying to keep improving and keep performing. And Vaz been an important part of that in the last two years.

“But obviously, especially with the number of games he has started in the last few months, his focus will be 100 per cent on the games coming up.

“My focus is on 100 per cent on the games coming up and any contractual issues with any of the players really, that’s certainly not for this week.

“And it's also more suitable that players focus on what's ahead of them and let the representation conduct those conversations with the club.”

Photo: TWTD

Reality_2021 added 16:27 - Dec 28 So do we have space for additions if we don’t move others on? Will we have to recruit under 21’s to get past any squad size issues? Fair play you want to keep the team together, but there may be a few that could be replaced and don’t really feature or are not good enough. A few spring to mind….. Ball, Aluko, Jackson, Ladapo, Evans, Donacien. They are ether not playing and won’t play or not good enough.

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Saxonblue74 added 17:20 - Dec 28 We've had the most successful start to a season in the clubs history and have broken almost every record you could mention, the most important signatures in January are those of the squad we already have!
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Bluearmy_81 added 18:41 - Dec 28 It’s ok folks Jackson is going to start going goal crazy any game now! Ha
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churchmans added 00:27 - Dec 29 Group morale and togetherness is more important than shifting a few players who are no trouble and ready to step in (which everyone has done) when asked! One more player to cover for the loss of hirst won't effect the quota on squad numbers! I really do hope we get stansfield but whoever KM get should be good nearly all of the time
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SickParrot added 17:06 - Dec 29 I did think that one or two might be moved on but looking at the squad, excluding, the injured, the only possible candidate would be Ball. I don't rate him personally but I understand KM's desire to keep all the existing group together. I assume that Ed Sheeran isn't included in the official squad that is registered with the Football League! If he is was, we could cancel his registration and be able to sign a player aged over 21!

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