THE form of Josh Ruffels has helped convince Pep Clotet he does not need to dip into the loan market to cover Ivo Pekalski’s long-term injury.

The Swede is expected to be out until the new year after damaging knee ligaments in training last week.

It opened up the possibility United would require a temporary signing to fill the gap for the first half of the season.

But Ruffels has excelled in the middle of the park alongside Ryan Ledson, scoring in the opening two Sky Bet League One games of the season.

And with Joe Rothwell, Xemi, Jack Payne and Canice Carroll able to operate in central midfield, it looks like Clotet will resist the urge to bring in a replacement for Pekalski.

He said: “I think so because they (Ruffels and Ledson) are working very well together and, at the same time, if we need options in midfield we already have a few in the house, despite what happened to Ivo.

“It gives you a lot of confidence and a good feeling going forward to know that the midfielders who are playing at the minute are solid, can work hard and can score as well.”

For Clotet, Ruffels’s strikes against Oldham Athletic and Portsmouth are secondary to the midfielder’s general performances.

He said: “Josh has played a fantastic couple of games in the league and has had the bonus of scoring the two goals.

“His work rate and contribution to the team with the good football he’s displaying and his ability to always put the team before himself is a huge asset for us.”