| The club have previously publicly stated no funds were currently available to enable team boss Jim Duffy to enter the transfer market in the window, but director Peter Marr believes some funds can be generated to pay the wages of loan signings.
Dundee sit second bottom in the SPL, just one point better off that city neighbours United, and Marr said, “It has not yet been decided whether we can bring in new players in the January transfer window.
“We have a board meeting on Friday to discuss whether there is any leeway to help with regard to new players. Team manager Jim Duffy will also attend that meeting.
“During the window last season, we brought in Neil Barrett and Sebastian Kneissel on loan, albeit the latter didn’t work out because of injury.
“Jim Duffy’s contacts are going to be very important again and it might be that we can look at something like that again.
“It is possible we could move out players to release funds. We have been looking at the current playing staff in detail because we have so many players out of contract in the summer.
“We have been disappointed by some of the performances, but Lee Wilkie’s return will be a big bonus, and Fabian Caballero is getting fitter all the time.
“Our budget has always been based on being second bottom of the league at worst, and does not include income from cup games. The fact we are drawn away to Hibs in the Scottish Cup — and they are flying at the moment — means we could get a decent pay-out from that tie. That income could go to funding new players.”
Jim Duffy today confirmed that, should funding be made available to him, he has drawn up a list of targets.
“Things change so quickly in this game that you always have to have players in mind to come in,” said the manager.
“Financially, it’s extremely difficult at the moment, but I have to say other clubs I have contacted have been extremely helpful. In many cases, clubs intimated they will pay 50% of their player’s wages if we take them on loan, but other things, like accommodation for the player during the loan, still make it difficult for us to put a deal together.”
Meanwhile, skipper Barry Smith will be in his usual place when the Dark Blues visit Dunfermline on New Year’s Day.
Smith had a couple of stitches inserted into a lip wound after Monday’s defeat against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.
However, despite their defensive frailties, Lee Wilkie won’t be involved against the Pars.
“Big Lee is continuing to make good progress,” continued Duffy.
“However, it is difficult at this time of year to find practice games for him to play. Besides, I don’t think Dunfermline’s artificial turf is suitable for him to return to the first team, so he won’t take part in that game.”
Jim dismissed stories that he had spoken to Stevie Crawford as “a pub rumour”. |
