Joey Barton says he remains open to adding a free agent signing to his Bristol Rovers squad, with the manager in contact with several possible options in recent days.
Barton admitted Rovers finished the transfer window a couple of players short of his desired numbers, specifically at centre-back and on the wings. He said last week he would not consider moving for a free agent defender due to deadline-day addition Bobby Thomas' impressive debut, but he hinted he could be tempted to make an attacking addition.
Rovers finished the summer with 10 signings, including six permanent additions, and he insists he is happy with the players he has, but the introduction of the five-substitution rule this season has placed a premium on possessing deep reserves of attacking talent that can influence the game from the start or from the bench.
Shopping outside of the transfer window is not usually a buyer's market, though with few options available and often there are injuries or significant financial demands to consider. But Barton remains open-minded on the possibility and has made calls to available players this week.
He revealed: "I spoke to a couple this week and I was shocked that an ex-teammate of mine, I thought he might come in the Champ, but then he says to me he might have a sniff of a Prem move, which is interesting. Diego Costa failed for the work permit and when he said it to me, I thought it might be there.
"Another player said to me he is going to sign for a side in the Scottish Prem, so I kind of understood that, and then another player said to me ‘I’ve got a cruciate ligament injury’, and that’s the last thing we need.
"I’ve had another couple of texts today off players I didn’t know would be interested in joining Rovers.
"We’re always trying to upskill the group. I’m happy with what I’ve got. If I can nudge it a little bit, as a manager you’re always looking for a little bit more and wanting a little bit more. I’d be delighted if I had a little bit more."
Partly due to the number of young players in Barton's squad who are not counted against the EFL 22-man squad limit, the manager has scope to make additions to his group without reshuffling his resources.
But he accepts there could be consequences if he bolstered his ranks significantly.
"It’s about management of the group and sometimes with too many chefs, you’re leaving lads out on a Saturday and I just see it as waste," he said.
"If we had a stronger 23s programme, we could lean on that a little bit heavier in terms of you could keep the squad a little bit tighter and if you did get a bad run with injury or suspension or international call-ups, you can open up that 23s group because they’ve got a regular games programme and it would be easier for them to dip in."
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