UP FRONT and right wing-back are two of the areas Michael Duff would like to strengthen during the January transfer window but he adds: ‘I don’t think there will be four or five players coming in.’

There is now less than a month remaining until the transfer window opens on New Year’s Day.

Barnsley are not in a strong financial position with a roughly £7-8million shortfall from relegation out of the Championship earlier this year following multi-million losses due to Covid-19 and behind-closed-doors football.

Chairman Neerav Parekh said earlier in the season that some money would be available to spend on transfer fees, and they had a £300,000 bid rejected in the last window.

They had hoped to draw a Premier League giant in the FA Cup third round to generate more money in gate receipts and television revenue, which could be spent on new players, but instead will visit League One rivals Derby County.

The Reds – who are currently in the League One play-off places in sixth – are hoping to ‘add at least one or two’ new signings.

Duff told the Chronicle: “The squad might need a little bit of help but I don’t think there will be four or five players coming in. I don’t see that at all.

“Finances are finances, there’s no point complaining about it.

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“That’s previous to me.

“We’ll try to strengthen in a couple of areas.”

Barnsley have been low on strikers all season, with Devante Cole and James Norwood the only senior players in that position.

The Reds are hoping to bring in at least one striker in January.

Duff said: “I don’t think it will be a surprise to anyone if a centre forward walks in the door.

“Whether we get one or two, and whether we get players in other areas will be dictated by how much certain people cost, what’s available and if they want to come.

“We wanted it in the summer and didn’t get it.

“So it’s not always that simple.

“There are so many moving parts, it’s hard to say.”

Right wing-back is another area Barnsley could be light in.

Jordan Williams is a doubt for tonight’s game at Peterborough United with a hamstring problem while Will Hondermarck is out until the New Year with an ankle problem.

Barnsley have tried midfielder Josh Benson and forward Josh Martin at right wing-back in recent cup games.

Benson impressed in that role in the 3-0 FA Cup win over League Two Crewe Alexandra on Saturday.

Asked about signing right wing-backs, Duff said: “I think we will look at that.

“We are short in that part of the pitch.

“Josh Benson did well last week but he’s not a right wing-back.

“We see him as a centre midfielder.

“It’s good he can do it (play wing-back) when needs must.

“We’ve exhausted a few options there.

“It’s probably an area we will try to do something with.”

Duff hopes Barnsley’s position in the top six of League One, after a good recent run, will make them more attractive to new players.

He said: “Hopefully, if we can keep ourselves in and around it (the top six), people will see there’s an opportunity to maybe do something.”

Some of Barnsley’s players are likely to attract interest from other clubs, such as captain and star defender Mads Andersen.

The Reds sold several players in the summer window.

Duff said: “That’s something we’re more in control of.

“We are not in control of whether players want to sign for us but we are in control of our players who are in contract.”

Meanwhile, Barnsley have been fined £30,000 and ordered to implement an action plan after supporters chanted abuse at a Bristol Rovers staff member at Oakwell in August.