Midfielder is top of Still's wish list

by MIKE SIMMONDS

DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE manager John Still admits he could make a foray into the loan market when it opens this week.

A midfielder is top of Still's wish list, but any transfer will depend on whether the club's finances can afford it.

"In an ideal world, if we could go out and get a central midfielder in on loan, then that is what we will do," he said.

Wanted

"Unfortunately the players that we want, we have been priced out of financially, while the ones we can afford, clubs don't want to let them go. We will keep looking though."

Still did move to extend the loan spell of midfielder Marlon Pack on Monday, with the Portsmouth youngster scheduled to stay at Victoria Road until March 6.

It could be a make-or-break month for the 18-year-old, after his four appearances for Daggers so far

"Saturday was the first time I have seen him play for us and I thought he did alright," said Still, who was back in the dugout after an operation to remove kidney stones and gall stones.

"I had watched the DVDs of him in our last matches and I hadn't been too impressed as he wasn't showing me the kind of form he had done at Portsmouth.

"I've had a chat with him though and told him to show me the reasons why we signed him.

"He hasn't quite adapted to the way we play yet, and I don't think it's helped with me not being there for the past few games.

"Supporters have to rememer though that he's a young lad, living away from home and that is difficult. If this next month works out then great, if it doesn't then we have Stuart Thurgood coming back."

The prognosis on Thurgood, who has been badly missed since his injury against Rochdale in November, is bright though and Still is hoping he will return to action soon.

"He is back training with us, but only with the physio and we're hoping that in a week-to-10 days he can resume full training," he said.

One player who has been challenged to prove himself was winger Graeme Montgomery, who was left out of the squad for Saturday's 1-0 home defeat by Northampton Town.

Training

"People are saying put him in the team, but he hasn't been showing me enough in training or in reserve team games," said Still.

"I had a long chat with him recently because I like 'Monty' and I think he's got ability, but he has got to be busting his gut to get into the first team.

"He's working hard, but he's in a difficult place with his football at the moment.

"It took someone like Solomon Taiwo a year to break through though, but Graeme has got to really put the work in now."

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