Ferguson wants quick market return at Rovers

Ferguson hopes to extend the deals of at least three of his four loan players as well as signing an additional striker.

And he wants it done early in January.

“Ideally I want the loans for Felipe Mattioni, Craig Alcock and Conor Grant sorted before next weekend,” he told The Star. “I’ve also got to make a decision on Cameron Stewart.

“It’s about getting all that sorted then trying to get the player I want in.

“And then it’s done and I’ve got to try and get one or two players out.”

Ferguson added he is confident of extending the loans after initial conversations with Mattioni and Grant’s parent club Everton as well as Sheffield United for Alcock.

A deal for full back Alcock could be made into a permanent one with his playing time limited at Bramall Lane.

The Rovers boss revealed he is considering several options as he looks to add an attacker, including free agents.

He said: “We have got three or four different options.

“A couple are actually players that aren’t with clubs and a couple of options would be loan signings.

“We’ve got options. We’ll wait and see what happens.

“You’re never too confident with these things until it is done.”

Rovers travel to Oldham Athletic this afternoon looking to bounce back from a 1-0 defeat to Scunthorpe United on Boxing Day.