League One: Where Each Team Could Strengthen In January

The transfer window has flung open its doors with teams now allowed to add fresh blood to their squads for the second half of the season. Here we assess the positions each team may look at to strengthen their team.

Accrington Stanley: John Coleman is always looking to strengthen his Accrington team. Players on loan and non-league talent are usually his way of doing business and expect that to be where he looks in January. Defenders could be high on his list with several loanees expected to return to their parent clubs.

AFC Wimbledon: The Dons are looking to ensure their League One safety. Glyn Hodges is expected to add a few new bodies during the window. Creative midfielders could be on his list with Wimbledon struggling for goals in midfield.

Blackpool: Simon Grayson has already flexed his muscles signing Jordan Thorniley from Sheffield Wednesday. That signing is in anticipation for defensive departures at Bloomfield Road. Ben Heneghan is attracting Championship interest with Sheffield United expected to recall him. Curtis Tilt is also attracting interest from the Championship. Simon Grayson is always open to adding fresh blood as Blackpool push the play-off places.

Bolton: The Trotters have already been busy adding new players. Three new arrivals including Ethan Hamilton who reunites with Keith Hill. Defenders are expected to be high on Keith Hill’s shopping list with Josh Earl and Jake Wright heading back to their parent clubs.

Bristol Rovers: New manager Ben Garner has only been in the job a couple of weeks but already is flexing his transfer muscles and moulding the squad in his eye. Young winger Jayden Mitchell-Lawson has arrived on loan from Derby. Garner’s main aim will be to keep top scorer Jonson Clarke-Harris.

Burton: Nigel Clough needs fresh faces. Burton are very inconsistent and while they are pleasing to watch, they don’t always get the results. A solid defensive midfielder could be in his thinking as well as some fresh defensive faces.

Coventry: Promotion hunting Coventry will be out to ensure their key players remain at the club. There is Championship interest in Zaine Westbrooke and Jordan Shipley. In terms of incomings, Mark Robins may look at shoring up the defence.

Doncaster: Darren Moore has enjoyed a decent start at Doncaster. They play some good football but are inconsistent. They are in the play-off race, but they lack goals. A striker could be high on Moore’s list along with an experienced head in a young Doncaster defence.

Fleetwood: Joey Barton has already added talented right back Callum Connolly to his ranks. He is most likely to be a direct replacement for Lewis Coyle who is attracting interest from bigger clubs. Barton may add further additions to strengthen Fleetwood’s promotion bid.

Gillingham: Steve Evans loves a transfer window and no doubt he will look to add quality to Gillingham’s play-off bid. Keeping Olly Lee will be his main aim with the midfielder’s loan due to expire soon. A striker could be on his list with Gillingham lacking a clinical, regular goal scorer.

Ipswich: Paul Lambert’s Ipswich need a couple of fresh faces. The tractor boys are in the promotion race but haven’t won a league game since the beginning of November. Goals and creativity have eluded Ipswich in recent weeks so Lambert could address the forward areas.

Lincoln: This is a golden opportunity for Michael Appleton to stamp his name firmly on the Lincoln squad. He is looking to shape the squad in his eye and steer away from Danny Cowley’s Lincoln. He has already added a new signing in midfielder Zak Elbouzedi. Expect a few more additions as Lincoln look to ensure their safety in League One.

MK Dons: The Dons are desperately short on goals and creativity despite a recent upturn in results. A striker and creative midfielder will be high on Russell Martin’s list. He may also look to shore up the Dons defence as they face relegation in League One.

Oxford United: Karl Robinson continues to do an excellent job with the U’s. They are looking a strong contender for promotion. Robinson will want to keep his key players like Shandon Baptiste with Championship clubs circling. Robinson may want a couple of additions to continue their charge.

Peterborough: Posh started like a train and recently have dipped in terms of results. Keeping their front three will be their aim with Eisa, Maddison and Toney attracting interest from above. Darren Ferguson has added creative midfielder Reece Brown and may well look to add more faces in midfield.

Portsmouth: It’s been a very busy start to the window for Pompey. Steve Seddon, Reeco Hackett-Fairchild and Cameron McGeehan have all arrived in the opening few days. Kenny Jackett is getting business done to continue Pompey’s climb up the table. They have lacked options at centre back so Jackett may look to address that in the next few weeks.

Rochdale: Dale stick to their principal by bringing young players through their academy. But Brian Barry-Murphy will still be looking to add to his squad with Rochdale battling relegation. A new centre back and striker on loan could be on his list.

Rotherham: The Millers are motoring nicely and are very much in the promotion race. Keeping key players like Matt Crooks will be Paul Warne’s aim in the window. However, Paul Warne is open to adding new faces so the Millers may address a few areas.

Shrewsbury: Sam Ricketts is enjoying a terrific season at Shrewsbury. The Shrews are in the race for a play-off spot and may add a couple of fresh faces to add their charge. Defensive midfielder and winger could be on Ricketts’ shopping list.

Southend: Where do you start? Southend need a huge boost in January. Relegation looks inevitable with Sol Campbell yet to win a league game since taking over. Their defence is a total mess and they severely lack goals. Defenders will be high on 

Campbell’s shopping list as well as a new striker and creative midfielder.

Sunderland: Despite the owners openly putting Sunderland up for sale, Sunderland will be adding players to their squad. Phil Parkinson wants fresh blood to aid Sunderland’s flailing promotion bid. Aiden McGeady is leaving the club so more creativity and goals will be needed. They lack firepower so Parkinson is targeting fresh attacking impetus.

Tranmere: Micky Mellon has already been busy strengthening Tranmere’s survival bid. Peter Clarke and Luke McCullough are in to aid Tranmere’s leaky defence while Alex Woodyard is in looking to recapture his terrific form shown at Lincoln. Mellon may want to add a couple more with a striker potentially on his list.

Wycombe: Their unlikely promotion bid is looking good, but Gareth Ainsworth will want a couple of new faces now that a takeover has been completed. Funds have been promised meaning Wycombe could flex their muscles in the window. A new midfielder could be on their list as the Chairboys look to secure a place in the Championship.