INSTITUTE: Deery looking to add to his squad

As Sentinel Sport told you last week that duo Dean Curry and Declan McKeever had both decided to leave the club, Deery is hoping to add at least three new players and possibly make one ‘big signing’ during the transfer window.

Derry City winger/striker Stephen Mills could be on his way from Derry City, while midfielder Niall Grace could even be in the squad for Saturday’s trip to Lurgan Celtic, if he’s signed in time, but he’s more than likely to be available for selection for their Irish Cup tie at Sport & Leisure Swifts.

“Stephen Mills is hopefully coming in from Derry City, I think he has told Derry that he wants to play first team football with us,” he said.

“Niall Grace along with Stephen are my two definites and obviously Joe McCready is in training with us but I still feel he has to get a wee bit fitter and up to speed with the rest of the squad.

“I’m also looking to add another young defender Dwayne McBrearty, who’s one of the top young players in the D&D. He can play either in a full-back position or centre-back.

“So that would be the four I would be really keen about to add to the squad in January.”

Deery is also hoping to maybe add a bit of experience with possibly of one more addition.

“The one experienced player we are trying to get it would be a big coup for us if we get him, but he has a lot of big decisions to make, but if it ever happens it would be great, but we’ll wait and see,” he added.

“But I would look at Niall Grace to make an impact for us, he’s a 6ft 1inch central midfielder and yes he hasn’t played at the highest level, but he’s more than capable and he’ll come in and give us that little bit of presence in the middle of the park.

“He’s very good on the ball and I will be looking at him to give us that bit of determination, when we have to dig in, he could be the man to add that spark to us.”