Goalie McNicholas is set to sign a permanent deal with EFL outfit Wrexham
LUKE McNicholas’ loan deal from Sligo Rovers to Wrexham is expected to become a permanent move this month. The goalkeeper joined the EFL League Two side last August on an initial loan for an undisclosed fee. The full fee for the transfer as a result of becoming a permanent move is understood to be a six-figure sum.
McNicholas, who turned 24 on New Year’s Day, came through the Sligo Rovers Academy and also had loan spells with Finn Harps and Cliftonville. After returning from his Cliftonville loan, McNicholas was thrust into the starting XI as he stepped into the void in July 2022 following the departure of Ed McGinty, who signed for Oxford United.
McNicholas made an impressive start, keeping two clean sheets against Motherwell in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Europa Conference League.
While he has turned in some fine performances since, the Mayo native also struggled for consistency, notably not keeping a clean sheet last season until the second round of SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division fixtures. Manager John Russell confirmed that McNicholas is now set to move to Wrexham on a permanent basis and that he has earmarked potential replacements since the Mayo native went out on loan.
Rovers have teenage goalkeeper Conor Walsh on their books – the Republic of Ireland underage international took over following McNicholas’ move to Wrexham, while veteran netminder Richard Brush, although now in a coaching role, can also be called upon in an emergency.
Still, a goalkeeper is now likely to be among Russell’s remaining signings needed to round off what is shaping up to be a smaller, but well-balanced squad.
Russell stated: “I am happy with the new additions we have. I said when the season finished there was patience needed to build a squad that would be quality over quantity. We need a consistent 11 to really make the style of play we strive for work.
“We were decimated with injuries last year but I like to think with the players we have retained and those who we have brought in so far we can get that level of consistency and, in turn, win more matches.”
Russell may dip into the loan market to replace McNicholas, with Ollie Byrne a potential target, and with another striker and defender also believed to be on his wishlist, it seems inevitable that Ellis Chapman will not be the only new loanee in the Rovers squad heading into the 2024 season.
“The loan market will be big for us. We need to maximise the budget as best as we can and there are conversations going on about that.
“As things stand I think we have a good size squad with a few academy players who will come in and get plenty of game time in pre-season, there are four or five I feel have stepped up since coming into the first team environment and can really push on this year.”