The window for making 'emergency' signings opens on Wednesday and despite McClaren's assurances last week that he was at the City Ground for the long term, stories are already circulating that he will walk away if he is not backed on loan deals.
A trio of defenders are reportedly on his radar, Chelsea left-back Ryan Bertrand and centre-halves Craig Dawson (West Bromwich Albion) and Danny Collins (Stoke City).
Further forward the name of Tottenham flier Andros Townsend is the man in the frame to add more cutting edge to the Reds in wide areas.