Conor Hourihane is hoping for a new signing ‘definitely by Stevenage’ and two before the deadline a week today, with winger Scott Banks someone he would like to bring to the club.
The Reds are hoping to add to their wing and striker options before the January transfer window shuts next Monday.
They visit Cardiff City on Tuesday then host Stevenage on Saturday.
Head coach Hourihane told the Chronicle: “It's going close probably for Tuesday. Whether we get one over the line in time for it with deadlines and all that, we're not quite sure but we're hoping definitely by Stevenage to have one added one into the squad and we have Luca (Connell) back (from suspension) which is a positive.
“We'd like to get two before next Monday.”
He added: “We have to be really honest in terms of the squad and where we’re at. We need a couple of bodies and we’re active and we want to rectify that this week. We’re a couple of bodies short from being in decent position to hit our schedule head on.
“We will pick up knocks, bumps and bruises. We need to go into it in a decent place.”
Barnsley have been linked Banks who has been on loan to Blackpool from St Pauli in Germany. Hourihane said: "I know Scott's obviously a really good player, and he's not had the minutes that he would like at Blackpool.
"Maybe there's potential in that one. I'm not saying that it's a definite and we're going to get it done, but I really like the player for sure. And if he's one that we could add over the next few days, that would be a positive.
"But we'll wait and see on that one.
“It’s not one that will be very very close but we would like to add bodies of that quality. He’s someone that can come in and make an impact instantly rather than a Charlie Lennon signing who has real development in him and will take that little bit of time. Even in training over the last three or four days we can see a real quality in Charle. He’s technically really good but it will take him a little bit of time to reach the heights I would expect of a League One player.”
Barnsley’s star men such as Davis Keillor-Dunn and Reyes Cleary have been consistently linked with moves away but Houihane said he was not aware of any recent bids.
“Me and the club and Jon Flatman (chief executive) speak all the time and there was nothing over the weekend. We're heading into this week and still hoping they will be our players come the end of the window.
“We have a task this week with getting bodies in and hopefully don’t lose anyone because that is just as important.
“We know the cycle we’re in and everyone has got a price. Obviously I hope all the players stay and a figure isn’t mention that the club feel is a good figure.
“I know those players will be pretty costly for other clubs. Hopefully next Monday we are sitting here with reinforcements and all the players mentioned will be in the building.”
