Irvine fails to bolster Owls squad as deadline day passes by quietly

Although Irvine would have preferred to strengthen as the Owls battle against relegation, the Football League's deadline for loan signings passed without change last night at Hillsborough

Amid pressure to stay within budgets, Irvine had attempted to find a club willing to allow a player out on the cheap – but found such a club in extremely short supply.

"We have injuries all over the team that we are trying to cover," he said. "The chairman and the board were willing to help in any way they could – if the right player was presented at the right kind of price.

"Obviously, that wouldn't have been a lot of money because we just don't have it," he added. "And we have seen the repercussions of people spending money they don't have. It's happening quite a lot in football these days and I do not think it is a very good idea to get into that situation."

The loss of midfielder Tommy Miller, who suffered a calf injury in the midweek victory over Watford, leaves the Owls with only 18 senior players for tomorrow's trip to Coventry City.

But the Owls are not the only club in the Championship currently low on numbers as managers up and down the country are under orders to bring wage bills down.

"In some cases, my phone calls were a complete waste of time," said Irvine.

"Either the players were not available or they were way out of our price range."

Rotherham United striker Ryan Taylor signed a one-month deal with Exeter City.

United have also signed defender Liam Darville on loan from Leeds United until the end of season and extended Josh Walker's loan deal from Middlesbrough until the end of season.