Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill is hoping to bring in some new players on loan as injuries start to bite into his squad.
O'Neill has already failed with a permanent move for Bolton striker Kevin Davies and even though he could go back with an improved bid, other areas of the squad also need strengthening.
Wes Brown, David Vaughan and Lee Cattermole have also been added to the injury list and O'Neill fears he could be left short for the rest of the season unless he acts now.
"I am a bit concerned because we have a few problems to overcome," he revealed.
"We have a couple of injury problems, just when you thought there was light at the end of the tunnel, that we were getting a few people back.
"Then suddenly, you play a game, you lose a couple of players and you are less than 36, 37 hours away from transfer deadline.
"As I have often said here, which has always been my concern, on February 1, that's it, so we might have to look at some sort of loans."