BARNSLEY are hoping to build on the return of a second former promotion-winner this week with more signings in the near future as they look to fill the remaining gaps in their squad.
The Reds brought in defender and former captain Marc Roberts for a second spell this week.
The Penistone man is the second new signing of the summer after his former team-mate Conor Hourihane rejoined as a player/coach.
Cash-strapped Reading are the only club in League One to have made fewer signings than the Reds so far this summer but that is highly likely to change soon.
Deals are thought to be nearing a conclusion and some should be finished in the next week or two, although nothing was definite as of Thursday.
Barnsley are understood to have had several overseas players on trial including French centre-back Milan Mbeng but none are likely to join the club, the Chronicle understands.
They are thought to be looking for a goalkeeper, left wing-back and striker, plus another midfielder as Hourihane has said he will not be playing regularly.
Former loan goalkepeers Liam Roberts, Harry Isted and Joe Wildsmith have been linked with the club and, although they may have been considered, they are not thought to be currently among the top candidates to sign as the Reds look to bring in at least one new stopper.
The goalkeepers currently on the books are last year’s number two Ben Killip as well as young academy products such as Rogan Ravenhill and Kieren Flavell.
There are currently no senior left wing-backs at the club, following the departure of Nicky Cadden at the end of last season.
Left wing-back is another priority position for the Reds at the moment while they will also look to bring in at least one striker.
The exits of last year’s main strikers Devante Cole and John McAtee has left them low on proven goal-scorers.
The Reds players have been back in full training since Monday, with the majority of the first team squad meeting new head coach Darrell Clarke for the first time.
The EFL summer window has been officially open for three weeks and closes at the end of next month.
The League One season begins in just over a month when the Reds host Mansfield Town on August 9 while their first friendly is a week tomorrow at Alfreton Town.
The first pre-season game of the season is due to go ahead on Wednesday when Barnsley under 21s visit Derby County at the Rams’ Moor Farm Training Centre from 1pm.
