Cliftonville January transfers

January signings so far: Joseph Toole (Fleetwood Town - loan), Liam McStravick (Airdrieonians), Brian Healy (H&W Welders)

January departures so far: Brandon Bermingham (Dungannon Swifts - end of loan), Thomas Lavery (Sunderland - end of loan), Darien Wauchope (Mansfield Town - end of loan), Shea Gordon (Dungannon Swifts)

With the protracted takeover saga still hanging over the club, Cliftonville will seemingly have to rely once again on loan deals and free transfers to strengthen a thin squad in January as they look to maintain their push to return to the top six.

They have made three signings so far, adding versatile defender Joseph Toole on loan from Fleetwood, former academy player Liam McStravick and Championship goal machine Brian Healy, who could prove to be an exciting forward option if he can hit the ground running as he did with H&W Welders.

The Reds have offloaded Brandon Bermingham, who flattered to deceive in his eight appearances, back to Dungannon Swifts following the end of his loan, while injury curtailed Darien Wauchope's loan spell at Solitude as he made just three appearances.

Jim Magilton's side have also been dealt a blow with the impressive Thomas Lavery recalled from his temporary stay in north Belfast to return to Sunderland and have sold Shea Gordon to the Swifts after he struggled for regular game time following his arrival from Larne.

There are rumours of a number of full-time teams looking at Odhran Casey, who has excelled this year, but Cliftonville will want to avoid losing another key player in January, as has happened the last few seasons with the likes of Luke Turner, Chris Gallagher and Ronan Doherty among those to depart mid-season.

Next five fixtures: Dundela (H, Irish Cup) - 10 January; Ballymena United (A) - 13 January; Carrick Rangers (H) - 17 January; Carrick Rangers (County Antrim Shield) - 20 January; Glentoran (A) - 25 January