ATHLETIC are hopeful of receiving “positive news” in relation to their on-loan players and are looking to further bolster their squad.

The January transfer window opened on New Year’s Day and Pars manager James McPake says that there are plenty of discussions taking place as he bids to strengthen his pool for the second half of the campaign.

He has been linked with a move for Dundee’s Northern Ireland winger, Niall McGinn, but insists that he will look to recruit quality rather than quantity to help his side in their promotion push.

McPake is also keen to keep hold of loan players Chris Mochrie, from Dundee United; Sam Fisher, from Dundee; Kane Ritchie-Hosler, from Rangers; and Robbie Mahon, from Motherwell, and, ahead of yesterday's match at FC Edinburgh, told Press Sport: “There’s lots of chats happening in the background.

“We’ll hopefully get positive news regarding the loans we’ve brought in, and we’ll see what we can do in terms of potential signings. There’s a lot going on in the background.

“I know I’ve said this a few times but that’s where we are at the minute.”

In relation to the number of players he’d like to bring in, McPake noted: “We’ll go for quality again.

“It’s not any disrespect to any players but we do get offered a lot of players, and the first thing you ask is, is it going to improve us in terms of a footballer, and, then, is it going to help us in terms of the personality? That’s the key things we look for.

“You weigh everything up but I’ll not sit and say that we don’t want to add as much as we can in terms of quality. We’re realistic also (given) the league we are in, the budget. Also, it has to be right for the football club.

“I think the signings that we’ve made so far are ones that we knew of in terms of their footballing ability, and their personality as well.

“I can’t say it’s the biggest thing, the personality, because then you could say ‘sign anybody that’s a great guy’, but, for me, it certainly goes hand in hand.

“And you can get it wrong; we’ve got it wrong before, bringing people in that can upset a coaching staff. I mean we as a coaching staff, I don’t mean the football club.

“As every manager will say, it’s different when you’re in a position, and I’ve been in that position before as well, when you just feel you need fresh people in, fresh players in, fresh ideas.

“But we’re in a good position, not in terms of the league, but where the squad is at. It’s not a case of cherry-picking, but we’ve got the targets there, and they are quality players.

“Equally, they’re good people and that’s so important, that we don’t upset the way we work.”