Inigo Calderon has confessed that there is work going on behind the scenes at Bristol Rovers in the transfer market but reinforced the point that January is a tough month to do business in.
The Gas added experienced midfielder Romaine Sawyers to their ranks last week and are understood to be looking at bringing in a centre-back this month while it’s possible they also seek a striker following Promise Omochere’s long-term hamstring injury.
There are still over two weeks remaining until the window closes. In that time Rovers will have three important League One matches against Barnsley, Wigan Athletic and Charlton Athletic as they look to improve their currently worrying position in the league table of being just give points above the relegation zone.
“Well, it’s been some work behind [the scenes],” Calderon said ahead of this weekend’s home game against Barnsley when asked about the latest news regarding transfer activity. “But as I said, it’s not an easy market because if they are playing well, they are not going to come here. You have to pay a lot so it’s not an easy one.
“So sometimes it’s someone that’s not playing or sometimes someone [who] is young. So it’s a difficult one. So you don’t want to bring players just to bring. I say that if they can make us better, they are welcome. But if not, we will go with the ones we have and we’ll be happy with that.
“I’m open to everything. If they make us better, even if the coach is better, I can go out,” the Gas head coach joked. “It’s not a problem. I think it’s that mentality.
“Everything that has to come has to be better than the ones we have and if it’s a position specifically, I don’t mind.”
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Naturally, it is also possible that there are some departures with Calderon hinting in his post-match press conference last weekend at Ipswich Town that the squad he has inherited may be slightly bloated.
Bryant Bilongo is the latest name to be linked with a possible exit on loan this month with the left-back subject to League Two interest while there may be situations where a player may have to leave in order to sanction an arrival.
The Gas also confirmed last week that teenage duo Kofi Shaw and Dan Ellison would be remaining on loan at respective National League clubs Yeovil Town and Aldershot Town for the remainder of the campaign.
“I’m not sure,” the Spaniard added on potential outgoings. “There are a few conversations but until it’s not done, I’m not going to say anything because they are players for us and everybody has been training with us and everybody at the moment is in contention for Saturday.”