Inigo Calderon has admitted that Bristol Rovers are working on bringing in players before the end of the January transfer window but maintained his usual stance of not being desperate to add to his squad.
The new Gas head coach has been in the job for less than a month but already has overseen evident improvement after Rovers won back-to-back League One matches for just the second time this season with victories over Cambridge United and Barnsley.
That has put the Gas in a slightly more comfortable position in the league table with seven points separating them and the relegation zone, although the situation certainly isn’t secure yet.
Asked whether the club could make additions this week after Saturday’s 3-1 win over Barnsley, Calderon said: “Maybe. I mean, we are working on things, I’m not going to lie to you. Different positions. But I will always say the same – they have to be better than the ones we have.
“I am not desperate to bring players [in], otherwise I would be lying to you. I’m happy with the ones we have and if we find something better than the ones we have they will be welcome but I don’t want to be made bringing [in] players.”
Rovers still have two weeks to conduct business with the window set to close at 11pm GMT on Monday, February 3. However, they were never expected to conduct significant business in the market this month after a major overhaul in the summer which saw 16 players brought in.
It is understood though that they are keen on bringing in a centre-back this month while Promise Omochere’s long-term injury could tempt them to bring in a striker if a suitable target is identified.
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So far they have signed one player, bringing in experienced midfielder Romaine Sawyers on a deal until the end of the season after a successful brief stint at AFC Wimbledon.
However, last week saw both Bryant Bilongo and Luke McCormick depart on loan for Harrogate Town and Forest Green Rovers respectively while loanees Jake Garrett and Michael Forbes returned to their respective parent clubs earlier this month too.
Meanwhile, youngsters Kofi Shaw and Dan Ellison have had their loans at National League sides Yeovil Town and Aldershot Town extended until the end of the season while midfielder Jerry Lawrence has joined Hungerford Town on loan and teenage striker Ollie Dewsbury has returned to the club after a successful stint at Yate Town.
The Gas have also seen Jevani Brown returned to the club by Notts County after an unsuccessful loan stint at the League Two promotion chasers. It’s currently not entirely clear what Rovers’ plan is for Brown, whose contract in BS7 expires at the end of the season, but another loan seems the most likely outcome.