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Sheffield managers know there are big gaps to fill - quickly!
WITH the start of the new Football League season just over a week away, the pressure is mounting on Kevin Blackwell and Alan Irvine to make the vital signings that are needed to plug important gaps in their squad.
Perhaps the need is most pressing for Irvine as he seeks to bring in an experienced goalkeeper for Sheffield Wednesday following the departure of Lee Grant to Burnley.
However, across at Sheffield United, counterpart Kevin Blackwell is almost as desperate to bring someone in to fill the vacancy at right back.
The 1m transfer of keeper Grant left Wednesday with two untried young goalkeepers, Richard O'Donnell and Arron Jameson. Both may have promise but Irvine would not wish to open the campaign without a goalkeeper who has considerable League experience.
The Owls boss is currently in the process of finalising his choice so that he is ready to act once the removal of the transfer embargo imposed earlier this week following the HMRC action, is confirmed. But he most certainly will want someone in as soon as practicable so he can get down to some work on the training ground with the likely back four.
For Blackwell, his priority is a right back and he commented: "We know we need a recognised right back."
They took a look at Frenchman Jean Calve in the win at Notts County on Tuesday and he impressed.
He is available from French club Nancy and was on loan at Grenoble last season. Celtic are said to be interested too.
United felt they had Ipswich defender Alex Bruce lined up last weekend but that possibility fell through.
It could be that United will take another look at Calve in Sunday's game with Alex Sabella's Estudiantes (4pm).
Elsewhere locally, there are other managers with pressing needs and perhaps none more so than Rotherham United's Ronnie Moore.
Injury blows have struck his defensive unit and he may well have to recruit otherwise the first game of the season would see him left with just a central defender and two left backs for his back four.
There are fears that right back Johnny Mullins has a slight fracture whilst central defender Nick Fenton picked up a calf injury on Tuesday. Another central defender, Luke Ashworth, is suspended for the first game whilst right back Dale Tonge is not yet in full training after a broken foot.
Barnsley manager Mark Robins may have made half a dozen signings but feels they are still short in one or two areas and he is still exceptionally keen to bring in someone who can play at right back but also operate in centre defence.
Chesterfield manager John Sheridan knows what he would like to add to his squad.
He has some wide midfielders but he is reportedly desperate to bring in a pacy winger, the sort of flier such as Donal McDermott who impressed when he was on loan from Manchester City at the start of last season.
Meanwhile, Doncaster Rovers manager Sean O'Driscoll, who had been seeking to add to his squad, has signed 19-year-old midfielder Josh Payne who had been released by West Ham. He is on an initial six months contract.
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Weather for Sheffield
Friday 10 February 2012
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