THE transfer window reopens in January, and Colchester United boss John Ward is prepared for the “unexpected,” as well as the expected.

THE transfer window reopens in January, and Colchester United boss John Ward is prepared for the “unexpected,” as well as the expected.

Ward has not ruled out the possibility of bringing in one or two new faces, to bolster his squad.

That was his line of thought even before his side’s humiliating 6-1 loss to visiting Stevenage, a club record home defeat, on Boxing Day.

The “unexpected” refers to the possibility of one of his own players being snapped up by another club – that could happen, especially as several of his more senior players have contracts that run out next summer, including defender Magnus Okuonghae and midfielder John-Joe O’Toole.

“We’ve got to make sure that this football club is steady and stable, as much as we can do,” explained Ward.

“Supporters would like to see a face or two, if we could do it.

“I would, if I could do it and it strengthens the group. As a manager you’ve got to try and keep improving your squad all the time.

“That’s something we’ve been working behind the scenes to see what players might become available.

“But, as you know, I am a little bit particular this year with what sort of player I’m trying to bring in.

“We’ve always had a clamour for another striker, and yet we’ve been scoring goals and doing alright.

“This month may or may not turn up something unexpected (in terms of a player/players leaving), I don’t know.

“Then we would have to deal with that. And that’s where the previous background work comes in.

“There’s a list of people and positions that may be possibilities, if something happens at our end, which we don’t foresee at the moment,” added Ward.