Pyke out: Grimsby Town can have dream week in the January transfer window with these two deals | OneFootball

Replacing fringe player Rekeil Pyke with young Lincoln City striker Freddie Draper would be a real upgrade in Grimsby Town's attacking threat.

While Grimsby Town's January transfer window is unlikely to be as chaotic as many previous ones, there's certainly business to be done for boss David Artell, and if the 44-year-old were able to move on some back-up forwards and replace them with better, it would significantly improve his side's attacking dynamism.

The Mariners pose more problems for their opponents this season, with goals coming from all areas of the pitch, and less reliance on captain Danny Rose, whose prowess at League Two level is one of the key factors in Grimsby retaining their EFL status at the back end of the last campaign.

However, with Rose now in his thirties, and Coventry City youngster Justin Obikwu struggling with persistent injuries over recent months, the Mariners are somewhat light in their forward options.

The problem is further exasperated by the lack of consistent availability and form of fellow forwards Donovan Wilson and Rekeil Pyke. Both senior players, who are capable on their day, are unreliable, inconsistent and not contributing anywhere near as much as Artell needs them to, and therefore the Grimsby chief may look to shuffle his pack in order to further progress.

Here, we at Football League World take a look at what an ideal week could be for the Mariners in upgrading their attack ahead of the final few months of the season, and a potential push for a play-off spot.

In: Freddie Draper

Powerful young Lincoln City striker Freddie Draper would be an ideal addition to a Grimsby forward line needing more of a physical presence and cutting edge.

Standing around 6ft, Draper is a well-built, aggressive striker capable of leading the line, bringing teammates in to play, and scoring with regularity - certainly at fourth-tier level.

Having previously had loan spells with local non-league side Gainsborough Trinity and League of Ireland outfit Drogheda United, Draper excelled for Walsall in League Two during the first half of last season.

Making 24 appearances in total for the Saddlers, the youngster, who is now 20-years-old, found the net on 10 occasions, and certainly looked the part before being recalled by the Imps in January 2024.

While Draper has been in and around the first-team squad with League One Lincoln for some time now, he's been unable to force his way into the side on a regular basis, and would, perhaps, benefit from moving on to get regular gametime.

Whether that be in the way of another loan move, or something more permanent, Grimsby boss Artell should be seriously considering a move for a man who has shown what he can do in the fourth-tier, and one that would compliment Rose and Obikwu's respective skill-sets, once the latter has returned to fitness.

Location could also prove beneficial for the Mariners in any pursuit of Draper, and it would undoubtedly be an exciting addition to the Blundell Park front line.

Out: Rekeil Pyke

27-year-old forward Rekeil Pyke joined Grimsby in the summer of 2023, brought in on a two-year deal by former Mariners boss Paul Hurst following his release from Shrewsbury Town a month prior.

It's fair to say it hasn't really worked out for the versatile Leeds-born attacker over the subsequent 18 months, and though Pyke can play in various roles, centrally and out wide, he has rarely been able to find a consistent place in the Mariners side, under Hurst or his successor, Artell.

This season in particular, the former Huddersfield Town youngster, who has also had spells with Wrexham, Rochdale, Port Vale, Colchester United, and Scunthorpe United, has barely figured in the matchday squad, be that through injury or selection, and while he's made a couple of fleeting appearances off the bench of late, it's clear Pyke's long-term future lies elsewhere.

Rangy, languid, but physically competent, the forward may have to drop into non-league to kick-start a somewhat nomadic career that has at times shown promise, but ultimately flattered to deceive all too often.

If the Mariners could replace Pyke with Draper this month, it would certainly improve Artell's squad and increase their slim chances of a top seven finish and a possible play-off spot in May.