Brandy and Cuvelier exit Blades as Clough targets trio

Clough has sanctioned the departure of striker Febian Brandy back to former club Walsall on loan for the rest of 2013-14, while another signing brought in by his predecessor David Weir, Florent Cuvelier, is expected to link up with another League One side in Port Vale.

The Frenchman has been training with Vale and is set to join for the remainder of the campaign.

Their exits should free up space to enable Clough to bring in some temporary recruits, ideally a forward, midfielder and defender.

Having brought in a targetman in Billy Paynter to compete with Chris Porter for a starting spot, Clough has revealed he would like to bring in a different striking type to compliment both.

Clough, who revealed that Connor Salmon and Jon Stead are still options ‘under consideration’ – although he is likely to change tact – said: “Ideally, I’d like one more of each; a defender, midfielder and a striker, before the end of the window.

“Having brought in a striker like Billy Paynter, we might look for something a little bit different. We have Chris Porter as well, so we might look for a point of difference,” added Clough, who has rubbished speculation linking Michael Doyle with a potential move to Danny Wilson’s Barnsley,

On whether Brandy has a future at the club after he was critical of his dismissal in his first game in charge at Shrewsbury in November, he said: “I am not sure yet, we will assess that in the summer...”

And on Cuvelier, also used sparingly like Brandy, he added: “Sometimes it happens when a new player comes to a club that it doesn’t click straightaway; in a team that is struggling as well. Then the team picks up and you are still not involved and it’s difficult for players like Flo to make an impact.

“It’s about getting out and playing some games for the rest of the season and then we will look at things again in the summer.”

Doncaster Rovers look likely to have to wait in their attempts to bring in Leicester City forward Martyn Waghorn, with the Foxes only willing to let him go on a permanent deal this month.

The striker is high on the wanted list of Paul Dickov, but with funds limited at the Keepmoat Stadium, a loan move is his most likely avenue of opportunity, especially with Leicester thought to be seeking around £450,000 to acquire his services.

A loan opportunity could open for Waghorn if no bidder signs him permanently this month and if that is the case, he is expected to be let out once the emergency loan window opens for business in February.