With the summer transfer window now closed for Premier League and Championship clubs United boss Steven Pressley confirmed at his media briefing on Thursday that the business done at the higher levels will now help him to focus on what happens next as he looks to add another striker to the group.
“What today [Thursday - the closing of the transfer window] does, in terms of loan deals from the Championship and Premier League, is clarify a lot of situations, and that’s kind of where we are with it,” he said. “Based on what’s happened elsewhere, we’ll then know where we are with our number one target.
“If we don’t get him, then we’ll see if the other opportunities we have in mind will also drop out. Like I say, the good thing for us is that it brings clarity to our situation, that’s the most important thing. Once you know where you are, at least you can react from that.”
Wit the transfer window for League Two clubs open until 2 September, he confirmed that he is looking for just one more signing to take the squad numbers to where he wants them to be.
“If we keep our squad intact then I am only looking for one more player,” he commented. “I’ve been very consistent in saying that I want 17 senior outfield players and two goalkeepers, and then another three or four young players who we’re going to push within the group.
“If there’s no movement on any other players in the coming weeks then that’s where we’ll be. If there is movement then we’ll have to react to that.”
“Like I say, I think the deadline will allow us to understand whether the striker loan is going to happen or not,” he added. “If it does happen then I hope we can move quickly but, if it doesn’t, we’ll assess the other options we have, which may take a little bit longer.
“If our number one target becomes available, I would hope we can move quite quickly. The parent club are very positive on ourselves, but until it happens we can’t be sure.”