A few weeks ago Simon Grayson said that he was happy with his squad and wasn’t looking to strengthen when the transfer window opens in the new year, but today Ken Bates has hinted that we might be recruiting one or two new faces after all.

Bates told the Yorkshire Post that the club are “non-stop, always looking at how we can improve our squad. I won't go into specifics but I can assure you of that”.  And after praising Simon Grayson he commented “We've supported him in every way we can and in every way we can afford. But in saying that, his demands are not excessive and he's realistic”.

 It’s no surprise that the first priority is to try to convert Andy O'Brien’s current loan deal into a permanent transfer, as the central defender has been a key figure in the improved performances we’ve produced during the last few weeks. Bolton Wanderers are understood to be willing to do a deal, as their financial situation means they will have to trim their wage bill in the near future.

One or two other signings may be necessary to cover the possibility of one or two players departing if new contracts cannot be agreed. Bradley Johnson is attracting interest from several clubs and could leave the club in January, while Luciano Becchio and Neil Kilkenny have yet to agree new contracts to replace their current deals which expire in the summer. So midfield is another area we might have to strengthen, and we currently have 26-year-old Jamaican international Jason Morrison on trial at Thorp Arch, in the hope of being offered a contract.

But however we fare in the transfer market, we should have at least one additional option in the squad for the new year, as Richard Naylor is hoping to return to action early as he continues his recovery from knee surgery. He told the new site "I'm doing very well. It's a slow road back, but I've got targets I've got to hit each week. This week I'm in the pool and next week hopefully I'll be running outside, then hopefully back just after Christmas or early in the new year”.

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