Mark Robins could be about to trim his Town squad – but says any departures, either permanent or on loan, must be right for both player and club.

And the boss, who has handed a short-term contract to striker Harry Bunn after he left Manchester City insists that because a new Football League loan window will open a week into February, there is no need to rush deals through this month.

Striker Jon Stead has been linked with Sheffield United, while there have also been suggestions that midfielders Keith Southern and Anton Robinson could be targeted.

Younger players like Chris Atkinson, Danny Carr, whose current stint at Fleetwood ends on Sunday, Jake Carroll, Jordan Sinnott, Jimmy Spencer and Matt Crooks could be loaned out.

Town have already splashed out in the current window by bringing in £1.3m club-record signing Nahki Wells from Bradford and hot prospect Joe Lolley from Kidderminster.

Wells scored for the second time in as many matches as Town were beaten 2-1 in Saturday’s Championship game at QPR.

Meanwhile £300,000 man Lolley was an unused substitute in West London and made his first Town appearance in yesterday’s 4-1 Under 21 win at Sheffield Wednesday.

Robins, who will head to the Kassam Stadium tonight to discover whether Saturday’s FA Cup fourth-round visitors will be Oxford or Charlton, says he continues to scour the market.

And he admits players could be on their way, although there is no financial pressure to make the squad smaller.

“We’re very happy with our signings so far, and there may be something else, we’ll just have to wait and see what develops,” he said.

“But of course, there is always an impact on the existing squad, and there are only 18 places available on any given match day.

“We have senior players who want to be getting game time, and there are some issues to be addressed.

“We have had one or two enquiries, but nothing stronger than that, but I would expect things to get a bit busier as the end of the month nears. Having said that, the reopening of the loan window for League clubs gives us a cushion.”