Shrewsbury manager Paul Simpson has revealed his attempts to strengthen his squad have been frustrated – but has vowed his search will continue.

Simpson is anxious to freshen his squad up before this weekend’s visit of Darlington to the Prostar Stadium, with midfield a priority area.

The Town chief has confirmed he has had a nominal offer for Macclesfield midfielder Terry Dunfield turned down.

And he also revealed has been thwarted in his quest to bring Reading’s Gylfi Sigurdsson – who spent a month at the Prostar Stadium earlier in the season – back to Shropshire for the rest of the campaign.

“I’m getting knock backs all the time at the moment,” said Simpson.

“On Monday I felt confident I would have somebody. I had three calls yesterday with people saying they are not going to be prepared to let the players come out.

“At the moment, I would say no I’m not confident (of getting someone before Saturday) but who knows? Come Friday it might be different.

“I’m trying to get loans until the end of the season.

“I don’t want a situation with the likes of Gylfi and Sean Thornton where we lose them very quickly.”

Asked whether rekindling an interest in Sigurdsson or Thornton was an option, Simpson added: “I was interested in taking Gylfi back but I have been told that’s a no.

“Sean Thornton’s involved with Leyton Orient so I haven’t even enquired but we couldn’t afford him last time we wanted him back so I wouldn’t have think that would have changed.”

Meanwhile, Macclesfield manager Keith Alexander has hinted that Dunfield is almost certain to leave Moss Rose before the end of the January window.

Simpson has revealed his disappointment at Macclesfield for their handling of his attempts to sign Dunfield.

“I would still like Terry Dunfield to come to us but there is nothing else I’m going to do about it until they come back to us.

“I’ve made a nominal offer for him and for some reason they have said we have offered £50,000.

“They won’t accept our nominal offer so that is as far as we are going to go.”

Town will not be following up their interest in trialist midfielder Thomas Eder – who won a full cap for Austria back in 2003 – after he played in yesterday’s 2-0 reserve team victory over Mansfield.

By JAMES GARRISON