TRANSFERS "GO TO THE WIRE"

CITY boss Peter Grant believes his attempts to bring in more new faces during the January transfer window could "go right to the wire".

Grant has already brought in three new players during this month, with Luke Chadwick and Chris Brown signing permanently and Celtic goalkeeper David Marshall arriving on loan.

The Scotsman said he was still keen to add another "three or four" bodies to the squad, through a mixture of permanent and loan signings.

But he admitted he and City fans may have to be patient.

"Obviously I'm still working hard to try and get a few more bodies in," he said at Thursday morning's press conference, looking ahead to the weekend FA Cup match with Blackpool.

"We are still talking to people and were talking as late as half 10, quarter to 11 last night. All these things are on going.

"But a lot of people are in a similar position to me where someone picks up an injury and it changes.

NEW BOY: Marshall became Grant's third piece of business in January

"I'm desperately trying to bring players here, there's no doubt about that. But that will go right to the wire. It's out of my hands - the people involved know who I want and the players know because the clubs have let them know.

"The players are keen but the clubs want to see where they stand and want to get the weekend out of the way because there are cup ties to be played. But I still want three or four more bodies in."

As well as players coming in to Carrow Road, there could be others going the other way.

Craig Fleming and Ian Henderson are already on loan to other clubs, while teenagers Rossi Jarvis and Matthew Halliday are set to begin a one-month spell at Torquay on Friday.

Striker Peter Thorne could also be heading for the exit after Grant revealed Oldham Athletic had expressed an interest on taking the former Cardiff man on loan.

But Grant said the decision on the Thorne move now rested with the player himself.

"Oldham have phoned and they've asked about Thorny," said Grant. "I think that's maybe because he's a Manchester boy, but at this moment in time there's nothing happening on that.
"I've let Peter know. And it's the same for any of my players. If we get an enquiry, I'll tell them. And it's up to him now if he wants to speak to them."

Posted By: lovely old job, Jan 25, 15:47:08