Quality signings on radar for Barnsley boss Lee Johnson

Barnsley boss Lee Johnson is hoping to sign a couple of “quality” players in the January transfer window.
ON THE LOOKOUT: 
Barnsley manager Lee Johnson.
 Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe.ON THE LOOKOUT: 
Barnsley manager Lee Johnson.
 Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe.
ON THE LOOKOUT: Barnsley manager Lee Johnson. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe.

The Reds may be in the middle of a hectic run of games in December, but that has not stopped head coach Johnson from some forward planning.

Ten players are out of contract in January, but Johnson has already extended the short-term deal of winger Adam Hammill until the summer.

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On-loan Newcastle United striker Ivan Toney has also extended his deal until the middle of next month.

And Johnson is looking to sort out the short-term future of several other Oakwell players before January.

“We are working on them, talking to clubs, gauging scenarios and situations,” he said. “We are also looking to add to our squad, to bolster it, in January. Preparations have started for that.

“It’s a continuous progression. There’s players that have done well for us, have done okay, and potentially could do better so we might think of keeping them.

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“Then there’s players that haven’t done as well as we would have hoped, and will inevitably move on.

“If we can keep the majority (of the loan players) and add one or two bits of quality, like an Adam Hammill or Ivan Toney, then we feel we’ll be heading in the right direction.”

Barnsley travel to Colchester United on Saturday, knowing a win could see them climb out of the League One relegation zone.