A back-door to survival

Liverpool's Stephen Warnock

With manager Paul Jewell struggling to add to his already strong, but thin, squad, a few long term loan deals could prove significant.

West Brom loaned Manchester United’s Kieren Richardson last season and Norwich managed to attract Arsenal’s David Bentley.

Richardson played a big part in the Baggies great escape and even managed to achieve an England call up for the tour of the U.S.A. scoring on his debut. Whilst Bentley was a star in the Norwich side prior to his injury.

Who could Paul Jewell realistically target?

It is more likely that young players from local clubs are going to join rather than a rising star from Arsenal or Chelsea.

Stephen Warnock, Zak Whitbread and John Welsh are all available from Anfield.

Warnock is a competitive right back and would relish the chance of regular first team football despite a scatter of appearances for Reds last season.

Welsh, has been hailed a future England international in his past but has failed to break into the first team at Liverpool. He would also relish the chance to strut his stuff on the big stage.

Finally from Anfield, Zak Whitebread, the 6’2 American centre back has only made four appearances for the first team.

Wigan lad Lee Croft

From the City of Manchester Stadium, Wigan lad and right winger Lee Croft, 20, is another who would fancy a loan move. He also broke into the first team towards the end of the previous season but is unlikely to play regularly next season for the Sky Blues.

Just across Manchester, and from Old Trafford there are a number of potential starlets coming out of the academy and crying out for first team action.

Richardson is unlikely to have done enough to force himself into their first team squad and may well be available for another season on loan, and the Red Devils are likely to let the winger go for a fee of around £3 million.

Other players who many be available are American centre back Jonathan Spector, former Celtic midfielder Liam Miller and striker David Bellion.

Whilst Charles N'Zogbia is likely to be available from St James Park, Newcastle.

In my opinion these players are going to add something if only depth to the Latics squad, and they would do it on the cheap, something that would no doubt appeal to Jewell.

At the moment the squad is far too thin and certain areas are distinctly lacking quality.

However, there is no need to panic and that will be the last thing that Jewell will do.

If fans are patient I’m sure the signings will arrive. Please do not judge PJ on his signings until the 12th of August.

Remember, he has been here and done this before with a worse squad than he has now. Keep the faith!

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