One down and hopefully two to go

Last updated : 29 February 2004 By Tony Scholes

Neil Wood - signed for two more months
Prior to yesterday only one of them had started a game in the first team, Neil Wood had played three times, although Bradley Orr joined him in a depleted midfield yesterday.

The fact remains though that with no chance of bringing anyone in permanently, with only one loan deal left and more suspensions on the way things are beginning to look desperate.

We have already done a deal with Manchester United and Neil Wood will remain with us right up until the next to the last game of the season at Rotherham and Stan has said that he is very close to agreeing an extension with Newcastle for Bradley Orr.

If that comes off then he says he needs to phone Alan Curbishley regarding Paul Rachubka which will hopefully allow us to keep all three. Given that Stan gave Brian Jensen another public blasting yesterday it would be no surprise if he puts Rachubka in on Tuesday if he can get an extension. It looks as though he has just about run out of patience with the Beast.

That would all leave us with just one loan available. Stan has said he is saving that one in case we need a central defender. We are apparently short of cover in that position, somewhat surprising since he said last week that he couldn’t give Arthur a game.

It is also surprising given that Ian Moore and Robbie Blake are our only forwards, we even play without forwards in the reserves now.

But for now Neil Wood remains a Clarets and by tomorrow Stan hopes to add both Orr and Rachubka to his squad for the next two months.