Season-long loan deals okay by McCall
7:14pm Friday 2nd May 2008
Stuart McCall is happy to bring in a couple of long-term loans as part of his squad-building plans.
Hereford's unlikely promotion success has shown that borrowing hungry young players over longer spells can pay off.
McCall would love to bring back Scott Loach for another year from Watford and is not ruling out the possibility of a couple of temporary additions. Ben Starosta could also have a chance of returning if he is not in the picture at Sheffield United.
But McCall would like to get any loan players in for the whole term.
He said: "Ideally I want people who are here over a long period and will grow and progress with the club. But if you're getting someone on loan for the season, it's no different to signing them on a year's contract.
"There are areas of the squad that I know need to be strengthened but we may decide to go down that road of bringing in a couple of loans."
With all the keepers cleared out, McCall will need two replacements, and one long-term loan there would make sense.
Today's opponents Wycombe have got into the top seven thanks to the form of borrowed Blackburn keeper Frank Fielding, who has been outstanding since making a stunning debut at Valley Parade in September.
Stockport, another play-off contender, have utilised Everton's third-choice keeper John Ruddy.
Loach would be McCall's number one choice but that depends on Watford boss Aidy Boothroyd.
Nobody has used the loan market more than Hereford, who have unearthed some gems in the likes of Theo Robinson, who McCall just missed out on last year, Sherjil MacDonald, Toumani Diagouraga and Gary Hooper.
McCall added: "Obviously you look at how MK Dons and Peterborough have gone up because they've had a little bit more finance than most. I know that doesn't guarantee success and you have to spend wisely but it certainly helps.
"But Hereford have probably had one of the smallest squads in the division. Instead they have gone down the loan route and been very effective with it.
"A lot of those players are up in the summer and they will probably get offered deals now."
- Start or join a debate on this issue in our online forum - Click here