Bolton Wanderers head coach Steven Schumacher says the club still need to sign at least another five players before the end of the summer transfer window.
The Trotters won promotion back to the Championship for the first time in seven years last season and are now trying to build a squad to stay in the division.
Winger Kyliane Dong, full-back Luca Stephenson, midfielder David Watson and defenders Akin Famewo, Ben Davies and Gaizka Larrazabal have all been added to the ranks so far.
But Schumacher has once again reiterated his desire for further reinforcements.
“There’s still loads more to come, I still feel as though we need a lot of players in a lot of positions,” Schumacher told Radio Manchester after a 0-0 draw with Premier League side Everton in a pre-season friendly on Saturday.
“We’re still working really hard behind the scenes because we know that to get into the Championship and to compete week in, week out, we need more firepower.
“We need strength and depth in every position because physically it’s demanding and you’re going to pick up injuries.
“And if the squad isn’t prepared for it, then you’ll get found out, which we obviously don’t want to happen.”
The 42-year-old said it is “difficult to get players everybody knows about” because Bolton “cannot compete financially” with other Championship clubs.
“That’s going to be the challenge that we then have to look further afield or be creative with some of the deals, maybe with loan deals,” he added.
“But it’s a challenge financially. That’s why things are not moving as quickly as we would have liked.
“We have to be patient, keep trying to get people in the door as quickly as possible because the earlier we get them, the more time we get to work with them before the season starts, which is obviously a bit more beneficial.”
