BARROW AFC managing director Andrew Casson is hopeful there will be no players exits from the Bluebirds squad in January.

The club have seen both Alex-Ray Harvey – their longest-serving player – and Liam Hughes head out the exit to team back up with former boss Paul Cox in the last two months.

Both men put in transfer requests at a time when there was much turmoil behind the scenes, with Micky Moore replacing Cox, then being sacked and replaced by current boss Ady Pennock.

That led to speculation that several other players had asked to leave as well, but so far no-one else has departed the Bluebirds.

Casson said rumours as many as half-a-dozen players had requested to go were untrue, but recognised there had been unease and uncertainty before Pennock's arrival alongside new player/coach Grant Holt and fitness coach Lindsay Davies.

Now, however, the managing director says there is more stability, and – aside from the possibility of losing one or more of the four loan players whose present deals run out in January – he does not expect anyone else to want out.

“I don't expect them to go anywhere,” said Casson. “Seeing them, interacting with them, I know there were lots of rumours about five or six transfer requests being handed in, and while that wasn't the case, I think there was a significant concern among a lot of the players as to where this club was going in that interim Micky Moore/Ady Pennock period.

“With Ady and Grant coming on board and bringing, especially with Grant's recent playing career, that level of professionalism, attitude and stepping everything up, I think you have a group of guys who believe it is on the right track again and want to be here.”

While not expecting any transfer requests, Casson is aware other clubs may have an interest in some of the squad members.

Football League sides came in for Jordan Williams, Nick Anderton and Richie Bennett during the summer transfer window, while last January saw interest – though no accepted offers – in AFC squad members.

It seems less likely to be the case this time around, but Casson said: “If offers come in, offers come in. But I haven't been asked or heard about anything. If they did, we would have to evaluate them, as you would with all offers. It's not in the plans though to really pursue those things.