Clubs keen as Villa striker may head out
Sam Hughes was officially on loan from Leicester City only for the first half of the season, meaning that, to stay in the squad, he had to either join permanently or have his loan extended.
After Saturday’s game, Hasselbaink confirmed that negotiations are moving towards the full signing, so that is an official announcement to expect soon.
At the start of the season, the club was allowed to name 22 senior outfield players in an official squad, excluding goalkeepers and those under 21.
Hughes was named within those 22 even though he was recovering from injury.
The departures of Chapman, Bostwick, Patrick and – if he goes – Hemmings would free up four places, of which Louis Moult, now fit, has taken up one.
That means even if no other outfield player leaves, Hasselbaink could potentially bring in three more senior outfield players.
With the squad at its youngest for some years, he has intimated that he could do with a couple of experienced additions, while acknowledging that they are harder to find and potentially more expensive to hire.
There are three weeks to go in the window. In addition to those already mentioned, Bryn Morris, Frazer Blake-tracy, Ciaran Gilligan and Aaron Amadi-holloway have not been playing much football, while John Brayford, Lucas Akins, Michael Mancienne and Joe Powell are into the last six months of their contracts.
My guess is that by the end of January, the squad will be up to half-adozen lighter than it was at the start of the month but that will have included more leaving and three or four arrivals.
Hold on to your hats.
ASTON Villa’s exciting young striker Cameron Archer is rumoured to be heading out on loan, with Portsmouth and Sunderland said to be interested.
Archer scored a brilliant hat-trick for Villa’s Under-21s in their 4-2 win against Burton Albion in the Papa John’s Trophy in October.
The 20-year-old had already scored a hat-trick in the Carabao Cup for the first team when they won 6-0 away to Barrow in August.
He has made three Premier League substitute appearances for Villa this season.
Pompey boss Danny Cowley has admitted his interest in the player but told Hampshire Live: “I am cautious of talking about players from other clubs and I would anticipate there will be a lot of interest in Cameron from clubs that are above our current status.
“But, absolutely, if he was available, he would be a player that would interest us.”
FORMER Burton Albion defender Chris Hussey, man of the match for Cheltenham Town against the Brewers at the weekend, was poised to complete a transfer to League Two Port Vale yesterday,
Vale had a five-figure bid for the 33-year-old left-sided player accepted last week.
FLEETWOOD Town are moving in the January transfer window after selling highly-rated defender James Hill to Bournemouth for a reported £1m fee.
The Cod Army, struggling in League One, signed striker Ellis Harrison from Portsmouth in time for the weekend and he responded with the only goal as they won 1-0 away to Doncaster Rovers.
Fleetwood had also lost loanees Callum Morton and Ryan Edmondson, who had been recalled by parent clubs West Bromwich Albion and Leeds United.
“Obviously, signing a number nine, you want them to come in and score goals,” said manager Steven Crainey, who took over from Simon Grayson in December and has the job initially until the end of the season.
“To get up and running straight away in the first game he’s played in, I’m delighted.
“Unfortunately, Callum and Ryan have left the club but we’ve got Ellis in and, hopefully, he can get us some goals between now and the end of the season.
“When you lose two number nines you want to replace them and we’ve done that. He’s had a great debut and long may that continue.”
Chris Hussey
Former India batsman, now the side’s head coach, born 1973.
DAN LUGER (RUGBY UNION):
Former England wing and part of the 2003 World Cup winning squad, born 1975.
EMILE HESKEY (FOOTBALL):
Former Liverpool, Aston Villa and England striker, born 1978.
JAMIE VARDY (FOOTBALL):
Leicester City striker, born 1987.
MARK WOOD (CRICKET):
England and Durham seamer, born 1990.