Jim Ervin has poured cold water on rumours linking Gavin Whyte with a move to Ballymena United. The Sky Blues boss scotched social media reports the Northern Ireland international has been training at The Showgrounds as he contemplates his next move.

Several clubs are interested in recruiting Whyte, who has been without a club since leaving Portsmouth back in August with Coleraine and Derry City reportedly frontrunners for his signature. But while Whyte may not end up at Warden Street Ervin is hopeful in adding to his squad during the January window.

“I haven’t heard anything from Gavin Whyte," said the Ballymena United boss. “I’m hearing rumours left, right and centre that he is training with Ballymena. I can tell you now — 150 per cent — Gavin Whyte is not training with Ballymena.

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“The best players are always going to be talked about and wanted. Teams want to add value to their squad. Managers are looking goalscorers and leaders. You can be in the market for the same people, that is the game and we have to sell the club and vision in the right way.

“We will not bring someone in for the sake of it, they have to be the right fit for the changing room and football club and better than the players we currently have in the squad.

“I’m hoping that we could potentially add another two players to the squad. We have a good, healthy squad but at this stage of the season you will pick up suspensions and injuries.

“For us to progress and get points on the board we need to strengthen and create competition for places, that keeps training healthy and everyone on their toes."

Ballymena have slipped down the table after an amazing run earlier in the season which saw them win 11 games on the bounce. Ervin admitted it was unrealistic for his side to be considered as title challengers despite their winning streak, but he is hoping they can see an up turn in form once again and start moving up the table again.

“Regardless of who you have signed you don’t go from competing in a relegation scrap to challenging at the top of the table the next season," he said. "Very rarely does that happen in football and if it does it’s a one-off. We were never silly enough to believe we could sustain a constant threat at the top of the table.

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“In the League this season, everyone other than Linfield has been inconsistent and even when the Blues lose a game people talk about a crisis. It is very tight and if you can win or lose two or three on the bounce it can change your position dramatically.”

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