Shrewsbury Town boss Michael Appleton says he wants to keep loanees Ismeal Kabia, Tommy McDermott, Elyh Harrison and Bradley Ihionvien beyond the January window.
Shrewsbury Town manager Michael Appleton says he wants to keep his four loan signings at the club until the end of the season but is prepared to make alternative plans if any of them leave in the January transfer window.
Arsenal forward Ismeal Kabia, Burnley midfielder Tommy McDermott, Manchester United goalkeeper Elyh Harrison and Peterborough United striker Bradley Ihionvien all joined Town on deals until the end of the season in the summer.
Ihionvien's immediate future is more clear cut with the 21-year-old likely to be out until at least February because of a knee injury.
But Appleton is expecting to get more clarity over what will happen with the other three in the next few weeks.
"Most loans are generally reviewed in the January window - there's usually a clause - but I think the dialogue we've had with the clubs is pretty good," Appleton told BBC Radio Shropshire.
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Appleton working on January signings
However, Appleton knows nothing is guaranteed when it comes to loan deals.
"You can never be 100% confident because I've had a hell of a lot of loans over my time as a manager and the majority of the players we've wanted to keep beyond the January window we've been able to do that," he said.
"But there have been a few that have been recalled and caught you on the hop.
"We're happy with what we've got and we don't want to lose them. But at the same time we're prepared just in case."
Kabia and McDermott, both 20, have become key members of the team, with the Clarets midfielder missing only six games so far and the Gunners forward playing every match since arriving at the end of August.
England Under-20 keeper Harrison, 19, began the campaign as first-choice but lost his place to Will Brook in late September.
"Each one has a different slant. There's never one loan the same," Appleton said.
"Some do well, some don't. Some don't do well because of X, Y, Z - whether that's form or injury.
"We'll have some honest conversations with the clubs and we will 100% come up with the right decision for the player and the two clubs."
Meanwhile, Appleton said he is also working on strengthening the squad next month as they try to ease their relegation concerns in League Two.
"We've got players that we want, and have been targeting for a while, and we are having some really positive discussions with players and agents," added Appleton, whose side head into the Christmas programme two points and three places above the drop zone.
"If we can do things early, brilliant, but if we have to be a patient to get that extra bit of quality that's what we'll try to do."
Category: General Sports
