PLAYERS are returning from injury but Phil Parkinson still wants new signings before the transfer window closes at 11pm tomorrow.

Centre-back Aaron Hayden made his first competitive appearance since the end of January in Tuesday’s 4-3 penalty shoot-out defeat to Mark Hughes’ Bradford City in the Carabao Cup second round and wide-man James McClean came off the bench for his home debut.

Star striker Paul Mullin, who suffered a collapsed lung and four cracked ribs during the pre-season tour in America, has returned to training, although physical contact has been banned for now, while defender Jordan Tunnicliffe and midfielder Jordan Davies are also making good progress.

But Parkinson, who saw goalkeeper Ben Foster announce his retirement four games into the League Two campaign, remains hopeful of adding to his squad.

“If someone comes in, great, if that doesn’t happen we will work with what we’ve got because we have got players coming back,” said the Reds’ boss.

“Davies is back next week, Mulls should be back, McClean and Hayden are back and Tunnicliffe is back in training so the squad is looking strong.

“If a player becomes available or we can get a deal over the line, great, but my main focus is on the group we have got.”

When asked how close he is to bringing in fresh faces, Parkinson added: “It is a domino effect sometimes.

“A team gets a player in and that one deal becomes achievable.”

Parkinson has refused to put a time-scale on when Mullin will be available for selection.

“Mulls is back on the training ground which is so good to see. We are getting there,” he said. “Each day he gets stronger.

“Obviously he has had a long period of inactivity but he is back out running on the training ground doing unopposed stuff; finishing etc, and he looks good.”

Hayden played an hour of the cup tie against League Two rivals Bradford, which finished 1-1 after 90 minutes, and Parkinson was also pleased to see McClean make his comeback.

“I don’t know how long it was since Aaron has played but I thought he was great,” added Parkinson. “It was such a shame that he was the one involved in the penalty incident but he nearly scored a goal and it was just great to have him back on the pitch.

"We got McClean on the pitch which is important. He was unfortunate to get injured in his first game."