Barnsley may loan in more players this season to cover injuries while others will go out in the coming weeks, head coach Lee Johnson has suggested.
Johnson made his first signings as Reds boss last Friday when he recruited Colchester's Jabo Ibehre and Declan John from Cardiff City who, when he makes his debut, will be the 40th player used by Barnsley this season, one short of the club record set in 2003/04.
"I wouldn't rule out more players coming in," Johnson told the Chronicle.
"We've got six loans and the most you can have is eight. If we get an injury to a goalkeeper then we will definitely sign one and probably the same with a defender but, in midfield and the forward areas, we have strength in depth."
The only player Johnson has let go so far is Leroy Lita who joined Notts County on loan until the end of the season last week. Another striker who seems out of favour is Kane Hemmings as he has not featured in the last two matches and is out of contract in the summer.
Several Scottish clubs tried to sign former Cowdenbeath star Hemmings in January, but Johnson says there has been no recent interest for the man who scored against his Oldham side last month.
The Reds head coach said: "It's not that I don't like Kane but we have a strong squad. Sam Winnall came back and I brought Jabo Ibehre in and it nudged him off the bench. I'd like to keep him if possible but players want to play. We'll make a decision if we get an approach for him.
"It's a possibility that some players could go out on loan for experience. Nana (Boakye-Yiadom) probably needs a loan. It's important that players are playing and it helps to raise their value."
Barnsley have extended Ben Pearson's loan from Manchester United until the end of the season. The 20-year-old central midfielder has played 12 games for the Reds, scoring once, in two month-long spells since joining in January.
Johnson said: "Ben had Championship interest but he felt happy here. He's got the potential to be in a fight for promotion which is important for his development. At the moment he is one of the first names on the teamsheet."
Already on loan at Barnsley until the end of the season are new arrivals John and Ibehre as well as George Waring, who has four goals in three games, and defender Peter Ramage who has been out injured. John O'Sullivan, who has won all five of his Reds games so far, is due to return to parent club Blackburn a week tomorrow.
Johnson said: "We would like to extend John's loan if possible and we'll certainly ask the question. In every game his fitness, tactical awareness and end product has improved. If he can get some goals then that would be fantastic."
Johnson says he would like to sign Waring, Pearson and O'Sullivan permanently. He added: "There's always a chance. Everybody has a price. We don't know whether they will go back and play at their parent clubs but we would be interested in signing them."
