The League One table is beginning to heat up with Rotherham, Wigan, Sunderland and Wycombe all battling it out for automatic promotion. Below that group of four are seven or eight clubs all dreaming of a push for the play-offs.
Casting your eye further down the table, there are a whole host of teams dreading the prospect of finishing in the bottom four and dropping through the trap door into League Two.
Whether its promotion or safety that your side is aiming for in the second half of the season a good performance in the January transfer window is essential.
The current League One betting odds at major football sportsbooks in the UK have Rotherham United as the favourites to win the league and be promoted to the Championship whilst Doncaster Rovers are the current favourites to be relegated into League Two.
In this article we look at the top January transfer rumours and how they will affect the current League One table and teams rankings.
The Automatic Contenders
Rotherham United
Paul Warne’s automatic promotion bid with Rotherham could be hit hard by the news that on-loan centre back Rarmani Edmonds-Green’s parent club are considering selling him in the January transfer window. The confident, ball-playing defender has attracted interest from Preston, Barnsley, Cardiff and Derby.
Wigan Athletic
Wigan are looking to solidify their grip on second spot by adding four experienced League One players to their ranks. Gary Madine and Carl Stockton are both being heavily linked with the Latics.
Sunderland United
Despite signing nine players in the summer, Sunderland boss Lee Johnson is still keen on bolstering his squad. The Mackems are rumoured to be interested in summer target Josh Key once more but the defender’s current club Exeter City reluctant to let him leave.
Wycombe Wanderers
Wycombe Wanderers are looking to reunite with former striker Uche Ikpeazu who left for Championship club Middlesbrough in the summer. The target man, who was highly rated by Neil Warnock, is not thought of in a similar vein by current Boro boss Chris Wilder making a January exit likely.
The Playoff Pack
Oxford City
Left-sided central defender Jordan Thorniley is reportedly ready to make his loan move to Oxford from Blackpool permanent this January. The former Sheffield Wednesday player has made a big impression at the Kassam Stadium and is thought of highly by Karl Robinson.
Plymouth Argyle
All-action midfielder and forward Panutche Camara looks set to leave Plymouth Argyle this January with Premier League club Burnley reportedly keen on securing the Guinean’s signature.
Sheffield Wednesday
28-year-old left back Josh Ruffels who joined Huddersfield Town from Oxford United in the summer is seemingly set for a League One return. Sheffield Wednesday are thought to be keen on bringing Ruffels to Hillsborough after his failure to displace Harry Toffolo as the Terriers’ starting left-back.
Portsmouth
Staying with left-backs, Portsmouth manager Danny Cowley is reportedly keen on signing AFC Wimbledon’s Nesta Guinness-Walker. The former Lincoln and Huddersfield boss is said to rate Guinness-Walker as “one of the best in the division”.
MK Dons
MK Dons are set to unleash an ambitious transfer strategy in January as they bid to improve on their great start to the season thus far. Keeping hold of several in-demand players will be a feat in itself though.
The Relegation Candidates
Lincoln City
Trai Hume, widely considered as one of the best players in the Irish League, is set to swap Linfield for Lincoln this January. The 19-year-old defender’s first task will be helping his new side avoid the trap door to League Two.
Fleetwood Town
Injury hit Fleetwood could rue Chairman Andy Pilley’s decision to take out a loan ahead of the new season which placed the club under a transfer embargo. The Fylde based club are limited to a playing squad of 22 and cannot pay fees.
Shrewsbury Town
Shrewsbury Town will have money to spend in January off the back of FA Cup revenue and unspent fees from the summer window.
Southend Town
Shrimper’s manager Stephen Robinson is reportedly keen on James Norwood and West Brom defender Cedric Kipre who is available on a loan until the end of the season.
Gillingham City
Gillingham chairman Paul Scully confirmed to fans last month that the club were under transfer restrictions as a result of the soft loan taken from the Premier League to help with Covid-19 related running costs. That hasn’t stopped Steve Evans from eyeing up a central midfielder to bolster his squad.
Doncaster Rovers
Doncaster Rovers will need to act quickly to appoint a manager before they attempt recruitment in January to strengthen their chances of avoiding the drop. Former Boro manager Neil Warnock has emerged as a shock favourite to take over at the Keepmoat.
Crewe Alexandra
Crewe Alexandra are worrying more about outgoings than incomings this winter with a number of clubs interested in some of their star players.
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