GALWAY United’s business in the transfer market is as good as done, with manager John Caulfield saying he is hoping to bring in one more player up front before the start of the season in a fortnight’s time.

Colm Horgan has re-signed after coming through a busy pre-season schedule without any ill-effects after being hampered by injuries last season, but there is disappointing news in that Ronan Manning is a long-term absentee.

The midfielder is facing at least three months on the sidelines, and possibly double that, having undergone surgery in London before Christmas on a long-standing issue, so it is looking like the summer at the earliest before he is fit and offered a contract.

“I think we are well covered in every area, we have a great young goalkeeper in from Millwall, Joe Wright, and I think we have added well in other areas so we might just look to bring in one more player up top,” the United manager told City Sport this week.

Excitement is building ahead of United’s return to the top-flight after a six-year absence, but despite romping through the First Division on the way to clinching the title last year after finishing 25 points clear of the chasing pack, Caulfield is urging a tone of caution for the season ahead.

“It is a big step up, games will be a lot tougher than they were last season, but this is where you want to be, you want the games against the likes of Derry and Rovers and Pats and Bohs, they are the sides you want coming to Eamonn Deacy Park.

“The first thing you have to be is you have to be fit, and I am happy with how preseason has gone for us in that regard. We have played a lot of games, and we have three more to come, it is about getting up to speed and getting your game plan right.

“The talk around the place is that we are expected to struggle, to be down near the bottom, and that kind of talk suits us fine. I think I am right in saying that this will be the first time in the history of the league that the 10 Premier Division teams will all be full-time outfits, so there will be a challenge in that.

“It is going to be tough, some clubs have added a lot of players. We know some of our key players have not played Premier Division football before, but we feel we have a continuity that will work in our favour.

Pictured: Galway United’s Ronan Manning  who is a long-term absentee after undergoing surgery in London.