Chairman Dean Hoyle today confirmed Town are looking to the loan market to bolster their Championship squad.
Worries over striker Nahki Wells (foot), defender Joel Lynch (hamstring) and wing-back Tommy Smith – who was taken to Leeds General Infirmary by the Yorkshire Air Ambulance after suffering a head injury in the 2-1 home defeat to Leeds United – may mean Town swoop before tonight’s 11pm transfer deadline.
Hoyle, his fellow directors and manager Chris Powell, however, are determined that any new arrivals have to be the right fit both from a financial and ability point of view.
“We have to keep it tight and we are not quite sure yet about the injuries, so it’s all about bringing in the right people,” said the club owner, whose side are 17th as they prepare to travel to third-bottom Millwall on Saturday.
“Maybe we might have to act a bit quicker now in the loan market, but we are where we are and this is why we have a squad.
“I don’t see there being any purchases before the deadline, it will be the loan market, but we will see where we get to.”
Town may also look to get another couple of players away – the loan market opens again next week – after already moving on Jon Stead, Danny Ward, Adam Hammill (loan), Lee Peltier and Martin Paterson.
“We came into January with quite a few senior players on the fringes of the squad and I believe that a club like ours cannot justify having high earners not contributing on the pitch,” added the chairman.
“Experienced footballers often get disgruntled, too, when they are not playing regularly, so we’ve taken a big step in the right direction on that front.
“Chris has made no secret of his desire to strengthen our striking department but, as always, we’ve got one eye on the long-term as well as our short-term options.
“It would be easy to go out and get a player who isn’t right for the club, but I believe proper due diligence is vital for our long-term success.”
On the derby defeat, Hoyle explained: “It was disappointing and I thought the pitch was poor.
“I was really surprised by how it’s deteriorated, probably due to the undersoil heating, but it didn’t help our passing game.
“Probably a draw would have been a fair result and I’m disappointed we didn’t get all three points because I think there was the opportunity, but that’s football and we move on now to Millwall.”
