Burchnall happy to complete campaign with existing squad
NOTTS County head coach Ian Burchnall says there are no plans to dip back into the transfer market after Inih Effiong and Kenton Richardson returned to their parent clubs.
Sunderland right-back Richardson is now back in the north east after his loan spell was due to expire while striker Effiong’s season-long deal has been cut short altogether.
The decision to let Effiong return to Stevenage now leaves Kyle Wootton, Lewis Knight, Elisha Sam and Jimmy Knowles as the quartet of strikers on the books.
Richardson’s exit is likely to be eased by the impending return of right-back Richard Brindley who is making good progress on his return from a groin injury.
Burchnall said Notts are now unlikely to make further additions because he feels a smaller squad will be better for the environment.
“Unless something happens to the current squad I don’t think that’s something we are going to look to do,” he said.
“Kenton’s loan expired and obviously we have sent Inih back but I felt having a tighter group is maybe better for the environment than to have too many.
“That motivation can be hard and I want all the players to feel like they are close to it so they are hungry and ready to step in at any time.”
Effiong’s loan at Notts was a disappointing one given he was a player that previous boss Neal Ardley had been tracking for some time.
Last season, he hit double figures in goals at his previous club Dover which led to his move to League Two Stevenage.
But after joining Notts he was unable to replicate the form which made him one of the most feared strikers in the National League last season.
And he left Meadow Lane with one goal to his name which was a penalty in the 2-2 draw against Boreham Wood.
Richardson, meanwhile, made just one appearance for Notts in a 2-1 defeat to Halifax only to then injure his hamstring.
But with Tylor Golden now fit, Dion Kelly-evans champing at the bit to regain his place in the starting 11 and Brindley’s return on the horizon, there is no need for an extra right-back.
It has completed what has been a hectic period for Burchnall since taking charge of the club last month with Notts having won their last two games in the National League.
They are now handily placed to launch an assault on the play-offs and face a huge game against Hartlepool this weekend.
Burchnall added: “It’s been a whirlwind.
“It was a disappointing start but in the last couple of games we have been excellent.
“We are seeing progress and we just want to maintain that really. There are a lot of games, and tough games as well. The group are in a good place.
“We talked about confidence a week or so ago, but I think the boys have put that to bed and I feel like they can go and kick on from it.”