MCCANN COY ON HOLLAND
BUT ADMITS EAVES’ INJURY MAY ALTER JANUARY PLANS
GRANT Mccann refused to be drawn on Hull City’s reported interest in West Ham youngster Nathan Holland.
Holland, who spent the second half of last season on loan at City’s League One rivals is understood to be a target for the Tigers, who are keen to replace Hakeeb Adelakun after he was recalled from his loan spell by Bristol City.
The 22-year-old has been working his way back to fitness following a serious injury which ended his campaign at the Kassam Stadium prematurely, and a move to the KCOM Stadium has been mooted this month.
With money tight given the effects of coronavirus and the recently introduced salary caps, the Tigers boss admits he needs to be mindful of the financial restraints he’s got to work within, before remaining tight-lipped about interest in the Hammers youngster.
“You have to juggle the books a little bit to bring people in,” he told BBC Humberside. “We’ve lost Hakeeb and possibly Jordy so there’s a wee bit of room there for us to try and improve the squad, and that’s what we’re trying to do and we’ll see how it materialises over the next week or two.
“We’re working very hard this end to try and give the group some more help. There’s going to be links all the time for us. This player that player, that’s what agents do and that’s what social media is all about, drumming up interest in their players.
“I think you know me by now, I don’t speak about anything like that until we get some news in terms of what we want to bring in.”
Having seen Adelakun depart and the ongoing wrangle over Keane Lewis-potter’s contract, his forward ranks were further depleted on Saturday night when Tom Eaves was taken off with a calf problem which could necessitate further additions at the top end of the pitch.
“We might do now,” Mccann said when it was suggested to him that City need a number nine. “It depends how Tom Eaves’ calf is, we’ll see how he is over the next 24 to 48 hours.
“We are looking to strengthen, there’s no question about that.”
Mccann wouldn’t be drawn on specific areas he’s looking to strengthen, instead preferring to speak more generally.
“We look all over,” he said. “The recruitment team here, Lee (Darnbrough) along with the analysts are always working to try and improve all positions; we’ve always got targets in all positions.
“It’s just picking the right ones that we feel are going to help us.
“One thing that is for sure is that they have to have the right characteristics to come into this club, that’s a given.
“It’s not just about footballing ability, it’s about character and once the right one comes along for us - and we are working on it, we’ll look at it.”