Barnet head coach Martin Allen says he is not in the market to sign another midfielder despite moves for David Hunt and Scott Neilson breaking down.

The Bees boss had previously stated his intention to sign 32-year-old Hunt after he was released by parent club Oxford United at the end of his loan spell with Barnet.

However, discussions between Hunt and Barnet have now come to an end and the versatile midfielder-cum-full-back is no longer training at The Hive.

Asked if Hunt, who won the Conference with Crawley Town in 2011, was still in negotiations with the Bees, Allen replied: “He is not training with us any more and he is looking for something more permanent.

“I think we have got enough players. [But] David has been a great help to me off the field,” he added.

Conor Clifford joined on loan from Southend United on transfer deadline day but Allen had previously stated his desire to also bring Hunt to Barnet on a permanent basis.

Speaking to the Times Series at the beginning of the month, Allen stated: “His best years, let’s not kid ourselves, are behind him but he can do a good job guiding our players and I am talking to the chairman about keeping David Hunt through to the end of the season.

“He has been absolutely fantastic since he has been here. People would perhaps question that but off the field, around the training pitch and around the group of players [he has been important].”

Another player who will not be making the move to The Hive is former Grimsby Town midfielder Scott Neilson. The 27-year-old wide-man was reportedly a target for the Bees but Allen insists he has better options already.

The Bees boss said: “I did have an interest in Scott Nielson but I have got a fantastic Spanish right midfield player (Luisma Villa) who has got a lot of goals and has been rested but is ready to come alive again on Saturday. Scott Neilson is a good player but certainly not better than the Spaniard.”

Neilson has subsequently joined Conference South side Whitehawk after being released by the Mariners last week.

As he was let go by Town after the transfer window closed, he would not have been able to sign for a club in the same division as Grimsby.

The Mariners will be the visitors to The Hive on Saturday and Barnet will be without the Conference’s 26-goal-top-scorer, John Akinde, for the first time this season after he was sent off for picking up two bookings in the 1-0 defeat at Wrexham.

The former Bristol City and Portsmouth hitman has been an ever-present for the Bees in the league this term but will miss the contest after earning a second booking for simulation.

Allen is unconcerned as he has long maintained there are a number of potential candidates to replace Akinde up front but has stated Michael Gash will “definitely” start.

“That is what I have brought him (Gash) in for. He has come on as a sub and done really well and he really is much fitter now.

“People question his attitude but I can say it has been spot on. He will definitely be playing on Saturday.”