Championship transfer window: What do Coventry City, Ipswich Town and their rivals need in January?

Mike White, BBC Radio Humberside

What does Hal need?

They only need minor tweaks/additions to the squad if they can keep most of their key players fit, but as the first few months have shown, that’s a big ‘if’.

They will have to move players to do so although winger David Akintola is high on that list after struggling to make his mark in the tournament.

There is also some belief that Cody Drameh may leave as he seeks more playing time than he is currently getting.

What did the previous January windows teach us?

Two seasons ago, they put in a good effort trying to secure a play-off place (they finished seventh) and brought in the likes of Fabio Carvalho (who would also be a target this time around before suffering an ACL injury), while last January during a tense relegation battle it was Matt Crooks, John Egan, Kyle Joseph and the currently injured Elliot Matazzo (ACL) who made a mark one way or another.

They are currently still subject to the second of the EFL’s two-window transfer sanctions, so can only take free agents or loans without a fee, which is ‘one in, one out’. But their summer activity has shown they have the ability to recruit aggressively, so confidence should be high again.

Are there any concerns about the departure of specific players?

The biggest concern will be surrounding highly-rated defender Charlie Hughes, although the hope is that they can at least keep hold of him until the summer.

He is still only 22 years old, but with over 120 appearances in his career already, he is an established and experienced player with Premier League ambitions and no doubt a Premier League fan.

The owner himself said he would not stand in his way if a top-flight club came calling but hopes Hughes will give the Tigers this full season before looking elsewhere.

However, for the right money, they can be influenced. Of course, if City are promoted, both sides might find common ground, but that is still a long way off at the moment.

How important is this window to Hal?

It’s important in the sense that they’ve already had half a season of injuries to some key players, so everyone will be cautious about that and don’t want to find themselves shorthanded.

However, the team needs adjustments, not a complete overhaul, as they are in a strong position and have performed well for the most part barring the odd ugly loss or ‘halftime game’ effort.

With Ollie McBurnie, Liam Millar and Mo Plume as well as Joseph in good goal-scoring form, and Joe Gelhardt set to return from a calf injury in mid-to-late January, they are certainly in the conversation to be real contenders come May.