SWINDON Town manager Richie Wellens admits some players may need to leave the club to facilitate new arrivals, with fresh faces looking unlikely to arrive before Saturday’s trip to Macclesfield Town, despite his best efforts.

Wellens has been keen to strengthen his squad since his appointment as Town boss in mid-November, with new director of football Paul Jewell brought in to aid the recruitment drive last month.

Swindon began the new year with a 2-0 defeat at home to Exeter City on January 1 and post-match, Wellens stated that with the transfer window now open, he is eager to bolster his ranks before their next League Two assignment against the Silkmen this weekend.

With Town currently 14th in the table and nine points off the play-offs, Wellens concedes that position is a less attractive proposition to potential signings than if the club had been fighting it out towards the top.

Wellens concedes landing new additions in the immediate future may prove difficult and added that players could need to move on before new ones can arrive.

“I obviously need to get some bodies out to free up a bit of money, but I’m hoping that there is a little bit of money there to try and strengthen the squad,” said Wellens.

“I would like a couple in before Saturday, because I don’t want the season to drift.

“I’m trying, but at the moment, I might have to go with what I have got.

“If we drift in the next four or five games, it will be a difficult season.

“Players might not come if we’re not in and around the play-offs. If we can get some positive results in the next three or four games and give ourselves a chance, it might influence a couple of players thinking of coming to us.”

Wellens is keen to sign Sid Nelson on a permanent basis from Championship side Millwall, although Town will have to do without the central defender for the immediate future after he returned to his parent club following the expiration of his loan.

Steven Alzate’s loan at Town may also come under scrutiny following news he could be out for three months due to injury.

The midfielder’s season-long switch from Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion comes under review this month.

With his squad already depleted of options, Wellens is keen to get midfielder Toumani Diagouraga back into the fold as soon as possible after missing the last 13 matches through injury.

“I’m hoping to get Toumani back. I’ve seen him train and he is nowhere near ready fitness-wise,” said Wellens.

“But he looks like a man, he knows how to play the game and knows when to play one-touch or when to hook the ball on.

“That’s what we need. We are badly lacking experience and know-how, especially in the middle of the park – especially slowing the game down.”