John Caulfield has claimed Cork City remain close to finalising a deal to sign centre back Ryan Delaney but admitted the club are facing a race against time to get it completed. The 20 year old defender, who is out of action with an ankle injury, is
John Caulfield has claimed Cork City remain close to finalising a deal to sign centre back Ryan Delaney but admitted the club are facing a race against time to get it completed. The 20 year old defender, who is out of action with an ankle injury, is currently on loan from English championship side Burton Albion with his deal is set to expire officially next Friday night. And speaking to reporters shortly after his side’s comprehensive victory against Limerick on Friday evening, the City boss remained unsure if an agreement will be reached. “I’ll be honest, it has been frustrating and I can’t do anything about it,” bemoaned Caulfield. “As I keep saying its very, very close but whether that’s Monday or next Friday, I can’t tell you because I don’t know, that’s just where it’s at. “There’s always concern until he signs on the dotted line and I’m around a long time to realise that that your never sure until you’re completely over the line, so that’s why I don’t really want to make any comment because I physically can’t do any more than we’ve done. “It’s coming to a stage where time is running out so it’s going to happen or its not going to happen I wouldn’t bet one way or the other on it.” Meanwhile Caulfield has also confirmed the injury suffered by Johnny Dunleavy in their 4-1 win against Limerick is not as bad as first feared. The centre back was stretchered off after 55 minutes with what looked like a serious knee injury. But the former City striker alleviated fears that the 25 year old defender may miss the rest of the season, insisting he is likely to miss weeks rather than months. “He has a leg brace on him but the doctor actually thinks maybe just three or four weeks will do it but we will just have to wait and see,” said Caulfield. “We will have to assess Johnny (Dunleavy) over the next couple of days, he certainly looks like he is going to be out for a little while but the doctor doesn’t think it will be too long. “He hurt his knee, I think he went over awkwardly on it and stretched it so they thought it was more serious at the time because he was in a bit of pain. “But to be fair to him he’s grand in the dressing room it’s settled down but its unfortunate he went in for a challenge that he didn’t really need to in that location of the pitch but we’ll keep our fingers crossed for him.”
