KEITH Curle hopes Harrison McGahey can offer a timely boost to Latics, and help lift the club off the foot of the table.

Reinforcements are required, but Latics' hands remain tied by the transfer embargo they have been placed under by the English Football League as part of a monitored loan agreement to assist the club through the pandemic.

So with the club continuing to be dogged by injuries ahead of tomorrow's derby at Rochdale, finalising the defender's registration after months of renegotiations has come at a good time.

"Harrison McGahey's registration saga has finally come to an end. It's been a lot of work in progress by a lot of people, invested a lot of time but we've got the end result," said the head coach.

"He's been brought to the football club because he's got experience of this division and experience in the division above. He's played a number of games and he's able to play in a number of positions as well.

"The lad is desperate to be playing."

McGahey would have missed the start of the season in any case after picking up a pre-season injury.

But the renegotiation process over a new deal, after the EFL disputed his initial two-year contract because of the strict embargo condition, has taken longer than his injury has to heal.

"He's been fit for three weeks," said Curle.

"He was frustrated with the injury he got. If anything you could take it as a positive because he's had more time with his rehab so now he's up to speed and raring to go."

McGahey's first game will be against former club Rochdale, at the Crown Oil Arena tomorrow.

"Is it an added spice because it's against his old club? Harrison's been ticking off the games and he's wanted to play in every one. He's not selective about where, who or why, the lad just wants to play football," said Curle.

"If Harrison would have been fit and available he would have been playing."

Meanwhile, the club have responded to the EFL after they were asked for clarification over Curle's comments regarding player registration issues in the build-up to Tuesday night's game at Brentford.

"There's been some correspondence with the football club, nothing direct to me. I believe the club were asked for their interpretation of what I said and I think the football club have responded," said Curle, who has yet to meet owner Abdallah Lemsagam.

"The owner's coming back in from Dubai so there's a period of isolation that is mandatory, he has to do it. As soon as that's done then we'll sit down and arrange a meeting," continued Curle.

When asked if he had received assurances about his position despite Latics' poor start, he added: "I think the last thing that any manager or coach wants is a vote of confidence.

"I've been brought in to do a job. I understand what the job is, I understand the position that we're in now. Do I think I'm aware of what's needed to be done? Yes. I've been in this situation of turning football clubs around that have been going in the wrong direction.

"At the minute we've bottomed out. We know where we're at. That's a good starting point when you know where you're at and the realisation of what needs to be done.

"There are going to be some horrible things and hard decisions that have to get made to turn this football club around and get it going in the right direction.

"I don't shy away from those decision that need to be made.

"I'm aware the owners have tough decision that they've got to make as well."