Gerhard Struber is hoping for new signings soon while insisting Middlesbrough manager Neil Warnock’s positive coronavirus test has not had any impact on Barnsley.
Warnock tested positive for Covid-19, after Boro lost at home to Barnsley in the EFL Cup on Tuesday. Warnock was not in the dugout and it has been reported that he watched the game from elsewhere in the ground after feeling unwell. The Reds have followed the protocols of the government and the EFL.
Struber said: “Everyone is fine. We have no symptoms in the staff or the whole squad. This is a good situation. I had no contact with him (Warnock) and I don’t think any of my staff or players had contact with him. We have a covid test on Sunday morning. We are ready to play Reading.” Meanwhile, Barnsley are hoping to bring in players before the deadline on October 16. They are searching for a striker, with Croatian Sandro Kulenovic one of the options.
Struber said: “We search for players who can give us, in many games, an answer but, at the moment, I have a trustful situation with my boys. The quality goes in a good direction but, to not have a similar situation like the last season, we need new players. The fight last season made it clear we need players. I trust my squad but the season is long.
"We are in an exchange with new players. We are close but it is not a situation for stress. I will take the right player and not go with a 90 per cent decision. I need a 100 per cent decision when everyone has a good feeling. It is not important for me if it is a loan or a permanent transfers, it is important that we get the right player.
"Kulenovic is one of the options and an interesting player. We will see in the next few days we will see if we take another option or take the decision with Kulenovic."
Barnsley made bids earlier in the summer for midfielder Ben Whiteman but they were rejected by Doncaster Rovers. Struber said: "Ben Whiteman is an option and an interesting player, but we search for a player who can help us from the first second. He is a player more for development and the future. It is more important to find players who are more ready for the first game."
Struber is desperate to keep hold of star players such as Cauley Woodrow, having already lost Jacob Brown to Stoke City.
"We have players who are interesting for other clubs. It is very important that we save them here. That is another challenge. For me it is not an option to sell another player."
