STAN TERNENT is exploring the long-term loan market with a view to strengthening his Town squad.

But he has warned fans to be patient in the push for a capture from the Premier League or Championship.

The Galpharm boss was heavily involved in top-flight football as assistant to boss Paul Jewell at Derby before taking the Town job in April.

And his long career in coaching and management means he has a huge network of contacts, with Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson among his circle.

Speculation has already linked Town with young Old Trafford midfielder Tom Cleverley, but Ternent is maintaining his normal no-comment policy on specific names.

“You can’t stop speculation, but I certainly won’t be fuelling any fires,” said Ternent, who has made four close-season signings so far, all of them permanent.

“All I will say is that we are looking at every possible avenue with regard to signings, and while I’d prefer players to be ours, loan deals can be useful.

“What you tend to find, however, is that most managers want to have a look at all their available players during close-season.

“That gives them chance to assess which they think might benefit from a spell learning the game at a lower-division club.

“It’s exactly what I’ll be doing over the next couple of weeks, so and loan moves in or out might not happen for a little while yet.”

Town made three loan signings under Andy Ritchie last season – defender Richard Keogh and striker Phil Jevons from Bristol City (with the Jevons deal later becoming permanent) and midfielder Ronnie Wallwork from West Brom.

The club’s last loan signing from the Premier League was Andy Taylor, who was brought in by Peter Jackson from Blackburn in February 2007, making eight appearances.