Juggling act

PLENTY TO SHOUT ABOUT: ATHLETIC manager John Sheridan barks out the orders at The Galpharm Stadium on Saturday.

ATHLETIC’S activity during the January transfer window is likely to be heavily influenced by events over the next seven days.

Manager John Sheridan would ideally like to bring in at least three new players to give new impetus to the club’s push for promotion from Coca-Cola League One.

Whether that becomes a reality is likely to be determined by Sheridan being able to juggle his budget by offloading players.

Chief executive Alan Hardy was today contacting Notts County and Grimsby Town to inquire whether they intend to make the loans of John Thompson and JP Kalala into permanent deals after both temporary moves expired over the weekend.

The pair were transfer listed earlier in the campaign and getting them off the payroll is likely to hold the key to Sheridan being able to manoeuvre in the transfer market.

It will also be decision time this week with regards to Darren Byfield. The striker’s second month’s loan from Doncaster Rovers comes to an end after the visit of Hartlepool on Saturday.

The only piece of transfer activity so far has involved striker Chris O’Grady, who has been loaned to League Two high-flyers Bradford City for a month.

Sheridan is looking to bring in a goalkeeper, left-back and centre half as he has little back-up in these areas.

The Athletic manager has also revealed that he has not received bids for any of his most sought-after players.

“I have not heard anything about any of my players and hopefully I won’t as I want to keep them all,” explained Sheridan.

Talent spotters were out in force at The Galpharm Stadium on Saturday when six Premier League clubs were represented along with a further half dozen from the Championship.

Leeds United manager Simon Grayson, who was an admirer of winger Chris Taylor when he was Blackpool boss, was also at the game.

Athletic’s prospects of playing Saturday’s home game against FA Cup giantkillers Hartlepool United appear slim unless there is a marked improvement in conditions.

The Boundary Park pitch is frozen and there is little likelihood of it thawing out as severe frosts are forecast for the remainder of the week.