Johnson: Notts need embargo lifting to sign loan targets

By jpallatt james pallatt

TOMMY Johnson hopes Notts County do not miss out on their top loan targets.

The loan window re-opened today but the Magpies are still under a Football League transfer embargo because of their cash problems.

Johnson said executive chairman Peter Trembling and director of football Sven-Goran Eriksson have assured everyone that an investment deal will soon be sealed so the club can pay off its debts and get the embargo lifted – and sign up to four players.

He said: "As soon as we get the go-ahead we'll crack on and get a few players in.

"We don't need a huge shake-up. I would say three or four would help us towards the end of the season.

"We don't want to upset the lads because there is such a good spirit in the dressing room but we need to freshen the squad up a bit."

The Magpies' debts stood at £1.5m last month and they are due in the High Court to face a winding-up petition from HM Revenue and Customs over unpaid tax on February 24.

"We'll leave the off-the-field problems to the powers that be. Hopefully that will be sorted out as soon as possible," added Johnson.

"We've not spoken to any clubs about players we want in advance of getting the embargo lifted. We can't do anything.

"But we have got to look after ourselves because we will get injuries and suspensions.

"The problem is players we want might go elsewhere while we are under the embargo. We can sit down one day and the next they could be gone, but that's football.

"I would think we're an attractive proposition to any player. We're up there in the league, we've got games in-hand, everything on the pitch is rosy. I hope it stays that way."

Johnson hinted Notts will try to re-sign Portsmouth winger Matt Ritchie, who is also a target of League One Swindon Town.

He made 19 appearances for the Magpies during a four-month loan at Meadow Lane earlier in the season, scoring three goals.

He returned to Portsmouth at the end of last year as Notts could not extend his loan because of the transfer embargo.

"Matty was fantastic while he was here. It was unfortunate he had to go back," added Johnson.

"We don't know his situation at Portsmouth but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. First and foremost, we need to get the transfer embargo lifted."