Jacob Davenport – Free Agent

Previous Club – Blackburn Rovers

Position – Central Midfield

Finally, we’re ticking all the boxes here. Defensive midfielder? Check. Top-flight academy pedigree? Check. Injury record that would make Florence Nightingale think twice about treating him? Check. Davenport was on Man City’s books as a youngster, and after a spell on loan with Burton in the Championship he moved to Blackburn Rovers. He’s never got going there; 34 appearances in four injury-hit seasons means Rovers fans have seen less of him than we’ve seen of Joe Walsh.

He’d be a big risk in terms of his fitness, but if we could do an Eardley with him, there’s a player waiting to come out. He’s known as a tough tackler and a good holding midfielder and, in case I haven’t made this point absolutely clear, we really need that this season.