LOANS WILL BE FINE FOR TOWN

TEMPORARY SIGNINGS CAN BE SMART MOVE, SAYS PETTIT

- By SAM ALLEN

THERE is a preference for permanence with signings at Grimsby Town in the summer transfer window, but an understanding prevails that loan deals come to the fore this month.

The Mariners have already confirmed three loan deals in January, having sent two of their summer acquisitions back to their parent clubs to create room, and there could be one or two more before the deadline.

At a time when purse strings are being tightened for most clubs, temporary deals are more cost-effective in the majority of instances, and selling clubs are less willing to let squad players go with fewer options and less time to source replacements.

"The loan market is more important in January than it is in the summer," said Town's chair Andrew Pettit. "In an ideal world, you want the majority of your signings in the summer to be permanent ones, but if there is real quality you can add through the loan market, then you look at it.