John Rankin says he can’t make any more signings at Hamilton Accies until players leave.
And he suggested that some might head out on loan deals while he looks at a squad that has seven injured stars and a few new signings who are yet to come into the frame.
Rankin moved to sign 19-year-old midfielder Lucas de Bolle on a season-long loan from Newcastle United ahead of the transfer window deadline, adding to Jean-Pierre Tiehi, Dario Zanatta, Jonny Ngandu and Michael Doyle, with Regan Thomson needing to build up his fitness, as does defender Jamie Hamilton, who has effectively re-signed.
De Bolle is still in Newcastle after suffering a concussion, but Rankin says he is ready to go straight into the squad when he recovers.
Shaun Want left the club after 15 years at the club to join Northern Irish side Larne, and Rankin hinted that others may find their way out of the door.
He said: “We’ll need to wait and see how it develops. As we said last week, there would probably be some leaving before we could get anyone in and that didn’t materialise.
“Lucas had a concussion so the protocols on that are until he’s not got any blurred vision etc we can’t take any chances with that.
“He’s still down in Newcastle, he didn’t come up because there was a slight issue with one of his tests, but once he does that’s another one we can add to the squad, and one that’s ready to play.
“To be honest, on Saturday in the latter part of the game especially [2-2 draw with Cove Rangers], we needed his energy levels in getting us up the pitch, the way he can drive and the way he is on the ball.
“We’re really looking forward to getting him in as part of the squad.
“But it’s [bringing others in] not something we can do just now, it needs to be people maybe going out on loan, because the loan window is still open for the leagues below us.
“That may well happen, as we get bodies back.
“There are seven, currently, on the treatment table and once they come back they’ll be pushing for places as well.
“If we can get them back sooner rather than later that will be hugely helpful.”
While left frustrated at only drawing 2-2 at Cove Rangers on Saturday after twice taking the lead, Rankin was pleased to see Tiehi bag his first goal for the club since his loan move from Fulham, while defender Dan O’Reilly scored his second of the season.
Rankin said: “I’m delighted for JP. He’s come in, he’s made an impact, his hold-up play is really good, he brings others into the game.
“There’s much more to come from him. He’s developing, he’s only 20 years old, this is his first senior goal, so I’m absolutely delighted for him.
“He can bring other players into the game and get us up the pitch, so it’s huge for his development but also as a team, because we’re beginning to share goals around.
“We’re not as reliant on the forward players as what we have been.
“With Chucky [Andy Ryan] being out that’s a big blow, with regards to the goals that we can score, but wee Andy Winter and JP adding in, as well as Matty Shiels and Dan scoring more than one goal as a defender is hugely important.
“We work hard on set plays and we know the threat that Dan can be from set plays, so that’s hugely important and it’s great for him to get on the scoresheet again.
“When you go to the away grounds that are challenging, we must make our set plays count, and Dan has done that on two occasions, now.”
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