Robinson keen to add two more new faces as he freshens up St Mirren squad

St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson says he’s keen to add two new faces to his squad before the end of January, with the signing of a winger “looking very close”.

The Paisley club have already made two signings since the transfer window opened, with goalkeeper Zach Hemming returning on loan and striker Owen Oseni joining from Gateshead.

Robinson is keen to do more business though, with signing targets coming in and that freeing up some players to find other clubs.

“I would like to add two more,” he said. “One that we are very close to completing, in the forward areas, a wide player.

“Hopefully we could get one more in as well. It would strengthen the squad and I would then balance that up with boys going out.

“We’re obviously at the mercy of other clubs as well. We will look to move some players out and we’re probably top heavy in the forward areas.

“We’ve got Owen in and I believe he is a project similar to Toyosi Olusanya and we’ve all seen the way Toyosi progressed. We believe Owen will be the same.

“Zach, I’m very, very confident in. I had to throw him in at the deep end due to Brentford calling Ellery Balcombe back and he hasn’t played for a long time.

“We’re very confident in that signing and we know exactly what we’re getting.”

Robinson shot down a link between Rotherham United and Saints striker Mikael Mandron but speaking in general terms he did say that some players may be allowed to move on this month.

“We’ve had some enquiries about individuals and if it suits us and we can place them then it’s up to me to refresh the squad, especially in the forward area where we want freshness and some new bright ideas for everybody,” the manager said.

“If we’re able to do that then we will and if we can help boys out along the way, if they’re not going to play football here, then I think it’s important to treat people right as well.

“If they’re not going to play or be in the way of some of the younger boys coming through then we’ll be fair to them and let them go and play football if it suits us and it’s the right deal for the club.”

And when asked if the club would entertain offers for Olusanya and Richard Taylor, with both key players in the final months of their contract, he insisted the club didn’t have to sell anyone.

“I’ve got a very good relationship with Jim Gillespie, who does all the transfer dealings with myself and Martin Foyle,” Robinson said. “We talk every day about things and I’m under no pressure to sell anybody.

“Both boys are very committed to the football club, even if they aren’t going to commit to stay after the summer.

“But you get a lot of prize money for each place so you have to weigh up the financial gain and the loss to players leaving affecting where you finish up the league.

“The board are bright with that and know that we’ll be in charge of that. We don’t have players or agents dictating when they leave.”