Four are gone but JFH is looking at a complete list of those who remain
AS he trims his Burton Albion squad in the early days of the transfer window, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is contemplating picking from almost a full complement before today’s game away to Cheltenham Town (3pm).
Omari Patrick, Michael Bostwick, Harry Chapman and Ellery Balcombe are no longer involved and the manager says there will be a few more through the out door before long.
His focus now is on improving a still good-sized squad – but he hopes to bring in one or two more experienced hands to help the young players develop.
For the Cheltenham game, Burton will hope to build on the strong performance which saw off Crewe Alexandra 4-1 when they returned from an enforced three-week lay-off last week.
“We have to look at positives and there were a lot of them,” said Hasselbaink.
“We’ve had a good week of training and we want more. As coaches we are trying to keep the players hungry and trying to feed into them that they need more. There were a lot of good things on Saturday.
“I have no new injuries. There were a few knocks but everyone who played is ready to play again.
“We have Jonny Smith back from Covid, Lucas Akins is back from injury and I can involve them.
“Terry Taylor trained (a week ago) on Friday but I didn’t want to risk him. He trained on Saturday after the match and he’s OK and in the squad too. Louis Moult is now registered, available and in the squad this week.”
Cameron Borthwick-Jackson came off in the second half with a sore groin, while captain John Brayford returned in central defence after a three-month injury lay-off.
“Cameron was sore. He needed a few days but has trained on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday,” said Hasselbaink.
“John Brayford was important for us. He brings some kind of calmness and he did very well but he was really tired after the game.
“Monday and Tuesday were tough for him but he came through it and we were happy to have him back.”
Cheltenham have added defender Ben Williams, from Barnsley, and forwards Charlie Brown (MK Dons) and Dan Nlundulu (Southampton) since the window opened, the first two on permanent deals and the third on loan, but Hasselbaink does not think that will impact the way the Robins play.
“It won’t be easy for them to bed them in in two training sessions but they are not going to want to disturb a lot,” he said.
“Even though they lost against Oxford last week, they played well for long periods.
“They have a few loans going back as well so there will be one or two changes but I don’t think their approach or formation will change. It has brought them success.
“For the majority of the time, they will play one way and the players that they have added, we know them. A couple of them, we have played against this season. It means they will have two or three who are hungry and want to prove themselves.”
Looking beyond Saturday, it seems Burton supporters can expect plenty more action in the window yet.
“There might be something in the pipeline. I think there might be a few more going out but not so many coming in, perhaps a couple,” said Hasselbaink.
“The core is there and it’s also about getting the ones who are not happy, happy. That’s not going to work with all of them but the morale, the harmony and team ethics are the most important things and, long-term, that will get us success. We are really big on creating that.
“We have really good talent and it’s now about pushing them, making them better and trying to add one or two who can really improve us.
“I think the hardest thing will be to get a few who are older, not too old, but experienced role models. They can improve you, character-wise.
“They are very difficult to find but we’re having a look at it.”
Burton Albion midfielder Kieran Wallace looks set to continue his loan spell with York City after recovering from a cruciate ligament injury.
Wallace, not included in the official squad list while he was recovering, went to play for York in midNovember.
He has made seven appearances, all starts, and the Vanarama National North side have asked about extending the deal beyond January.
“We are looking at that, we’re in negotiations with them,” said Hasselbaink.