With United’s transfer business pretty much concluded,, barring a change in circumstances, manager Paul Simpson confirmed today that Lewis Bell [Gretna], Sam Fishburn [Morpeth – season-long already agreed a few months ago] and Max Kilsby [Annan] will all be staying with their respective clubs until the end of the current campaign.
“We’ve agreed with all three clubs that they can all stay,” he said. “It’s been really good for all three of them, they’re all getting minutes and they’re all showing what they’re capable of doing in senior football.
“We think it’s the best place for them and we get the best of both worlds because they’re playing and training with their loan clubs, and here to train with us as well.
“We’re seeing them, and how they’re developing, we’re watching their games when they come through on video, so we are monitoring it all and will make decisions between now and the end of the season as to what comes next.”
“Sitting here now I don’t expect anybody else to be leaving the building,” he added. “I did say the other day that there might be a loan move for Gabe Breeze, if the right opportunity came up, but that hasn’t happened.
“Scott Simons has his hand injury that keeps him out for quite a number of weeks, and that puts a bit of a blocker on Gabe going out as well.
“I can’t afford to take a chance of getting an injury to one keeper and running with one senior goalkeeper in reserve.
“We’re just going to have to assess that and see how it goes. Hopefully transfer wise there’ll be nothing else I need to talk about.”
Touching on the usual injury update, he commented: “We did pick up a couple of things the other night but it’s nothing that will keep anybody away for the weekend.
“I expect everybody to train tomorrow [Friday], a few missed out today other than doing the recovery. We let a few miss out just to allow things to settle.
“I’m not concerned about any of that, they’ll be fit by the weekend. Whoever is picked let’s see the same intensity and energy levels and let’s see what it brings us.
“Other than that, it’s looking up. Jack Ellis will hopefully be back in a week or two, two more who have had surgery are a few weeks away.
“All of them have to keep it right so that together they’re pushing standards. It’s up to me and the rest of the staff to drive that as well, and hope that the players keep listening.”
