Dicko and Shotton join the Tykes

Carl Dickinson and Ryan Shotton have joined Barnsley on a three month loan.

Dicko has found first team opportunities very limited since the Potters were promoted just over a year ago, whilst Ryan had been threatening to break into the first team squad during pre-season. Both will now try and get some regular Championship football under their belts with the South Yorkshire club.

It had been thought that there would be a minor exodus from the Brit now that the loan window had reopened, but these two are the first to be farmed out to Football League clubs amid reports that Richard Cresswell is also mulling over an offer from an unnamed Championship club.

Leon Cort has also been hoping for a loan spell elsewhere, but despite enquiries from several clubs, there have been no firm offers and he’s now likely to stay, at least until the Potters’ fate in the Carling Cup fourth round is known.