10:07am Monday 2nd January 2006
By Jon Ritson
ANDY Gurney is poised to agree an 18-month deal with Town as Iffy Onuora looks to start filling the holes that have suddenly been punched into his squad.
A medical is the only obstacle to be overcome in Gurney's case but Town will step out at Hartlepool United today minus six players.
Tom Heaton, Colin Heath, Patrick Collins, Neale McDermott, Hameur Bouazza and Gurney himself (albeit temporarily) have all returned to their respective clubs.
Aaron Brown and Petr Mikolanda are clear to play at Victoria Park but Onuora expects the latter to be recalled by West Ham tomorrow.
On the plus' side, in-form striker Jamie Cureton was expected to be included in the Town squad, having completed his loan spell with Colchester United.
As for Gurney, likely to be the first January window signing, the Town boss said: "We've agreed terms with him and his agent so we're only talking in terms of a medical. So if he's not available for Hartlepool then hopefully he will be for Gillingham.
"It's a permanent deal with no fee involved. He's got 18 months left on his contract so I think we'll take over that contract subject to a couple of things."
McDermott's position still remains something of a grey area' but the probability is that he is heading back to Craven Cottage.
Onuora said: "I spoke to him and his agent and I think he's of the mind he'd like to go back.
"I think Petr will be going back after Hartlepool, although I'd have liked to keep him longer. I would like to keep Aaron Brown a bit longer."
Striker Cureton, having already scored at Hartlepool for Colchester this season, could be handed another chance to sink the home side.
Onuora said: "Jamie will be available and I have told him he's part of the plans for this game. He's already scored there. Maybe it's an omen?"
With options depleted, the manager says there is an opportunity for others to impress.
He said: "I've had this situation in mind for a few weeks. We've made sure the likes of Leigh Henry, David Stroud and Ben Wells have trained with us."
Whoever takes to the field at Victoria Park, there is one clear message.
"We'll be telling the players one more game and they get a rest, one last push," said Onuora.
Goalkeeper Rhys Evans admits it could be an interesting month at the County Ground.
He knows his manager will look to strengthen during the transfer window but doesn't expect any new faces to walk straight into the side.
"It might be difficult for the manager to drag someone in because they might say hang on a minute, am I going to get a game?," he said.
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