Barnsley v Wolves: Paul Heckingbottom hopes Tykes have seen last of January exits from Oakwell

He has already seen captain Conor Hourihane, top scorer Sam Winnall and highly-rated defender James Bree leave the club, and Marc Roberts, Josh Scowen, Marley Watkins and Angus MacDonald are also on the radar of rival clubs ahead of today’s 11pm deadline.

The latest reports have suggested that Scowen, out of contract in the summer, is attracting the attention of both Burnley and Sheffield Wednesday, while Watkins, who recently saw a transfer request turned down, has been linked with several clubs including Ipswich Town and Bristol City.

Swansea City, Burnley and West Brom have all been reportedly monitoring Roberts, with Norwich City linked with MacDonald earlier this month.

Heckingbottom, whose side find themselves just one place and point adrift of sixth-placed Sheffield Wednesday ahead of this evening’s home game with Wolves, said: “I want to probably sign two players without losing any of the others.

“There have been no more bids, but just lots of speculation. We have got no players, we cannot afford to sell any more, simple as.”

Heckingbottom quashed reports that Scowen has rejected a new deal, with talks still “ongoing”.

He added: “There is dialogue, not so much with Josh, but with Josh’s agent and representatives in the club, and that is what we have been doing for quite a while.

“Josh has been great all the time I have known him, not just worked with him.

“He’s been terrific and epitomises what we are about as a team and I would love to keep working with him for a long time.”

Despite being linked with a big-money move, new Reds captain Roberts insists that he is happy at Oakwell and sees his future being with his hometown club, who he feels can still strive for the play-offs this season.

The Penistone-born defender is contracted to the club until the summer of 2018 and has indicated that he would be open to speaking to the club about a further extension if they saw fit.

Referring to speculation over his future, Roberts said: “I don’t take any notice. It is all rumours.

“The team are doing well and I don’t think there has been anyone who has not had speculation. When you are doing well, there is always going to be paper talk.

“But as a squad, we are focused on Barnsley and we are Barnsley players and that’s all there is to it.

“I am a Barnsley player and that is where I see the future.

Revealing his pride on being made Reds captain, he added: “It is an honour and a proud moment in my career from where I have come from and I am absolutely honoured to take it from a great player like Conor as well.

“I didn’t expect it, but you have to take things in your stride and I was happy to take it after the gaffer pulled me in and asked me about it. We had a good chat and it is a proud moment for me.”

Asked if Barnsley can continue to push for the top six if they can keep their squad together, he added: “Why not? We have the players and management side to do it and we are all pulling in the same direction and I think we have the quality to do it.”

Last six games: Barnsley WDLLWW Wolves LDWWLW.

Referee: C Kavanagh (Lancashire).

Last time: Barnsley 2 Wolves 1; February 19, 2013; Championship.