Matt Hamshaw and questions on Rotherham United's desire to sign Ryan One
MANAGER Matt Hamshaw has refused to be drawn on the pursuit of young striker Ryan One who is a loan target for Rotherham United in the new-year transfer window.
The boss would love to add the Sheffield United prospect to his squad for the second half of the League One campaign and talks have taken place between the Millers and the Championship Blades.
However, he ducked questions about the 19-year-old Scottish youth international at a press conference today at Rotherham's Roundwood training HQ.
The conversation went like this …
“Ryan One - how likely is it that he can come here?”
Answer: “He's a Sheffield United player.”
“Are you hopeful?”
Answer: “I'm hopeful of bringing some players in, yeah.”
Hamshaw is keen on up to four new faces arriving at AESSEAL New York Stadium in January to reinforce a squad trying to climb out of the relegation places.
He wants two of them to be frontmen who will increase his selection options along with top scorer Sam Nombe's pending return to fitness after a second hamstring injury of the season.
One needs a loan to accelerate his development after being a bit-part player for the Blades in the Premier League and second tier.
Meanwhile, January business has been slow so far, Hamshaw reckons, because top-flight clubs have some of their men away on duty at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and are reluctant to let any of their other players leave early in the window.
“We're on the phone constantly, we're trying to get things done,” the manager said. “It's a difficult period. Premier League clubs have a knock-on effect on everything.
“The AFCON is on and they don't want to lose players, so Championship players can't sign Premier League players. They then hold on to players that we potentially might get further down the line.
“We need strikers, we need players in. I want to bring three to four players in if I can. I don't know if that's feasible, but that's what we're trying to push for.”
Whether Hamshaw's wishes are met will depend on how much backing he is given by the board to wheel and deal.
He is willing to say farewell to some existing members of his squad - on permanent or loan transfers - to free up money that could be put towards the wages of new arrivals.
“I understand the fans' frustration when everything gets done on the last day, but that's because the domino effect happens,” he said. “We're trying to bring players in. I'd bring a player in tomorrow if I could.
“However, that player might not be available yet, that player might not fit into our financial remit. All of that has to be taken into consideration.” Tentative outside interest has been showm in one or two Millers men.
“There have been a couple of enquiries, but that has been it,” Hamshaw said. “We've had no bids, we've had no concrete offers.”