Ferguson’s plans are fluid for the January transfer window
DONCASTER ROVERS manager Darren Ferguson is not ruling out the prospect of bringing in new permanent additions in January if he can find some room for manoeuvre in his squad.
The Scot says that his winter window priority is resolving the futures of the loan midfielders Ben Whiteman, Rodney Kongolo and Jordan Houghton.
He remains confident of securing loan extensions with Sheffield United and Manchester City for Whiteman and Kongolo and is in talks with Chelsea about translating Houghton’s move to Doncaster into a permanent switch.
But Ferguson has also left the door open to other pieces of business if circumstances dictate.
He said: “At the moment we will see what we can do with the loan players. I have spoken to Chelsea about perhaps turning it (Houghton) into a permanent.”
On the prospect of fresh faces, he added: “If they are the right ones. There is not a massive amount, but a possibility. If we manoeuvre in the right way within the squad, we can do something.
Ferguson has confirmed that “one or two” young players will be allowed to go out on loan to boost their game-time levels in the new year, with Will Longbottom among that number.
James Coppinger and Craig Alcock will be fit for tomorrow’s long trip to Bristol Rovers while Matty Blair is rated at “50-50”.
Meanwhile, Rotherham United manager Paul Warne has confirmed that the club will table a bid for loan striker Kieffer Moore in January – should parent club Ipswich Town elect to cash in and sell him in the new year when he will be recalled.
Warne said, “We will be bidding that is definite. I have had the conversation with the chairman. It is crazy to think I would not want him.
“He has been the highest scorer in England. I think he will still improve.” MANAGER Arsene Wenger has called on his Arsenal players to avenge their Anfield thrashing at the hands of Liverpool at the start of the season.
The Gunners were thoroughly outclassed as Jurgen Klopp’s side won 4-0 when the pair clashed in August’s Premier League meeting.
With the summer transfer window coming to a close, Wenger opted to field Liverpoolbound Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and put his two new recruits – Sead Kolasinac and club-record signing Alexandre Lacazette – on the bench.
Liverpool were rampant as Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Daniel Sturridge all got on the scoresheet for the hosts.
Arsenal had already lost at Stoke the previous weekend, but this was a shock to the system in what was just the third league game of the campaign.
Goalkeeper Petr Cech recently described the loss as “one of the worst experiences” of his career and now Wenger wants his team to turn the tables when Liverpool visit the Emirates Stadium tonight.
“When you have such a long career as I have, you have some defeats unfortunately that hurt you for the rest of your life,” he said.
“I believe what is interesting in football is you always have a time to make up for it. When you can put things right, do it.
“So let’s focus on what is in front of us and turn up [tonight] with a completely different performance.”
Klopp is pleased with Liverpool’s recent defensive record – they have conceded only four goals in their last nine Premier League games – but has stressed his players will need to be “spot on” at Arsenal.
The German said: “We have to be ready for a different challenge. It’s Arsenal and they have quite a talented group there. We need to be spot on in this specific part of the game.”