WITH the January transfer window just around the corner, Burton Albion manager Nigel Clough will have some decisions to make over the future of some of his players.
Three of Albion's four loans expire in January - Mark Duffy, Remi Matthews and Zeli Ismail.Duffy’s loan does make him eligible to play Saturday’s fixture against Blackpool but the deal will expire after that game.
Clough said: “Mark Duffy’s loan isn’t up until Saturday but we have agreed a deal in principle we just have to get the paperwork done after Saturday.”
The Brewers have Dean Lyness out on loan, ironically to Saturday’s opponents Blackpool. A clause in the deal means the Albion stopper won’t be eligible to face his parent club.
Clough said: “We haven’t met Dean yet and also have Remi on loan from Norwich so we will have to sort out the situation with those two.
“Jon’s (McLaughlin) form means Remi’s chances have been limited.”
A few of Clough’s men picked up bumps and bruises in the battle against Swindon on Monday in the 1-0 victory but the manager expects those players to be fighting fit for Blackpool.
“Tom Naylor took a knock and has bruising on top of his ankle,” said Clough.
“Mark Duffy took a whack in the ribs off the ball which hindered him somewhat during the game but are hoping both will be OK.
“The fact that we haven’t got a game for two weeks after Blackpool helps.”
Darius Charles hasn’t featured since signing for the Brewers in the summer as he recovered from a broken leg he sustained with his former club before tearing his hamstring in Clough’s first session.
“Darius is coming on but a hamstring is six to eight weeks so he’s not near at the moment.”
Zeli Ismail’s loan spell with the Brewers has been pretty frustrating for the winger as a series of little niggles have kept him away from the first-team.
An ankle injury sustained six weeks ago in a reserve fixture has got the better of Zeli but Clough is expecting to meet the on-loan winger in the coming days.
“Zeli is back with us next week.
“He hasn’t done as much as we would have hoped but we will have a chat with him next week.”