Glenn Roeder insists that he has no intention of letting Rigobert
Song leave the club on the eve of the new season.
The player himself has been quoted as hinting that a move to Lens could be on the cards, but Glenn says:
"It's the first I've heard of it; at this moment in time I'm not in a position to let Rigobert Song move on.
"The numbers aren't there: Scott Minto picked up a slight strain today, Hayden Foxe is out and Ian Pearce has not had any preseason at the moment.
"That's not to mention Steve Lomas and Titi Camara with long term injuries.
"If Ian and Hayden, and Scott - another defender - were fit it is possible that I could be in a position to listen to offers for one or two players.
"We've had no contact whatsoever with Lens about Rigobert, but in any case I am not encouraging any interest from Lens at the moment because we could not allow him to leave."
Indeed, there is every chance that Rigo will start the first game of the season, and Glenn adds:
"Rigobert has started in the last two games and has put in two solid performances at right back in a flat back four.
"It is very possible he will start on Saturday against Liverpool, one of his old clubs, in that very position.
"But we will see how he trains in the week, and of course Sebastien Schemmel comes into the equation as well."
And Glenn stresses that it is bringing players in, not moving them out, which is his prime concern at the moment.
"Incomings are much more important to the club because we have to increase in size and quality.
"If supporters are frustrated, believe me so am I.
"We need a good start, particularly in those first five or six games, and it is the quality of those players we get that could make the difference."
The player himself has been quoted as hinting that a move to Lens could be on the cards, but Glenn says:
"It's the first I've heard of it; at this moment in time I'm not in a position to let Rigobert Song move on.
"The numbers aren't there: Scott Minto picked up a slight strain today, Hayden Foxe is out and Ian Pearce has not had any preseason at the moment.
"That's not to mention Steve Lomas and Titi Camara with long term injuries.
"If Ian and Hayden, and Scott - another defender - were fit it is possible that I could be in a position to listen to offers for one or two players.
"We've had no contact whatsoever with Lens about Rigobert, but in any case I am not encouraging any interest from Lens at the moment because we could not allow him to leave."
Indeed, there is every chance that Rigo will start the first game of the season, and Glenn adds:
"Rigobert has started in the last two games and has put in two solid performances at right back in a flat back four.
"It is very possible he will start on Saturday against Liverpool, one of his old clubs, in that very position.
"But we will see how he trains in the week, and of course Sebastien Schemmel comes into the equation as well."
And Glenn stresses that it is bringing players in, not moving them out, which is his prime concern at the moment.
"Incomings are much more important to the club because we have to increase in size and quality.
"If supporters are frustrated, believe me so am I.
"We need a good start, particularly in those first five or six games, and it is the quality of those players we get that could make the difference."