Yahoo Sport 
Cheltenham Town's January transfer window business up and running, says boss Michael Flynn
Cheltenham Town have one new loan deal agreed for January, with a second close to being finalised as they bid to kickstart their mid-season transfer business ahead of the curve.
There are currently six loanees in Michael Flynn's Robins squad, but Nottingham Forest forward Manni Norkett has an ankle injury keeping him out until the new year, so he is likely to have made his final appearance for the club.
Norwich City defender Lewis Shipley is also likely to depart in January, having not been picked regularly in the match day squad in recent weeks.
The other temporary signings are Joel Colwill, Lewis Payne, Sam Stubbs and Levi Laing and manager Flynn is likely to be keen to retain at least three of those. Only five loanees can be included in a match day squad of 18.
He is hoping to strengthen his squad in the new year and he is hoping months of planning will come to fruition with some signings made early on in the window.
"We have agreement on one loan player, with another a long way down the line, so our transfer business has already started and it began months ago really," Flynn said.
"We are where we are and we are not going to have bundles of money to bring in whoever we want.
"We have to work within the framework of the football club and try to get the best players we can to fit into the budget."
Captain Scot Bennett, who suffered a knee injury at Salford City in the FA Cup second round defeat on November 30, is expected to be back in contention for the festive fixtures.
The 34-year-old defender will miss Saturday's home match against 23rd-placed Morecambe, but could be involved in next Friday's trip to Gillingham.
Cheltenham then play Crewe Alexandra at the EV Charger Points Stadium on Boxing Day and then Notts County, also at home on December 29, before travelling to Port Vale on New Year's Day.
READ MORE: Nottingham Forest's former Manchester United forward ruled out until new year with injury
