Dundee want at least six more signings this summer, says head coach Steven Pressley.
The Dark Blues have added three already in the shape of Drey Wright, Paul Digby and Emile Acquah.
But there is still plenty of work to be done between now and September 1.
Pressley has been on the training pitch with his new team this week but admits numbers are low and that needs to be addressed.
He did, though, tease that fresh incomings are close.
‘Close on two’
“We still need a lot of players in, if truth be told,” Pressley said.
“We are pretty much close on two and should see them in the building shortly.
“One hopefully early next week and then another on loan in the week leading up to the League Cup.
“On top of that there are still numerous positions we need to fill.
“It will be six or seven, definitely.”
It’s understood the loan player is from Pressley’s former club Brentford while there are also four trialists to run the rule over.
Former Burnley midfielder Tommy McDermott is “doing OK”, says the Dens boss, while three youngsters from Monterrey are over with the view to further loans from the Mexican outfit.
Jorge Landeros, Jose Urias and Oscar Soto are spending two weeks with the Dark Blues, aiming to impress Pressley and his staff.
The Dark Blues gaffer said: “From a fitness perspective, they’ve got to get up to speed.
“Obviously, the game over here is a little bit different, but they’ve done fine.”
Kyle Magennis has left his trial period early and is expected to re-join Kilmarnock.
Josh Mulligan
This week has also seen Hibs close in on the capture of Josh Mulligan after his contract at Dens expired.
Dundee would be due compensation because Mulligan is under 23 and the Dark Blues offered him improved terms last season.
While missing out on a talented young player is disappointing for Pressley, he’s hoping to be able to reinvest the compensation fee agreed into building the new squad.
However, he admits that will not be straightforward.
“When I arrived I was briefed that the club had made Josh an offer so have always been aware of the situation,” Pressley explained.
“There was a chance he could come back but we knew he wanted to pursue other opportunities.
“So it’s not a huge surprise and I get it from his perspective. There’s no criticism there.
“Josh is doing what’s best for himself, naturally.
“It will be very difficult to replace him.
“I have spoken about it already, the money in the lower leagues in England and even the National League, is obscene.
“In our lower leagues in Scotland there are hardly any young players playing so you can’t go and pick someone up from there.
“It’s really difficult because when you bring through your own players – and that’s something I love to do – when they do well the vultures start circling.
“It would be great to build your own team of six or seven home-grown players but it’s very difficult to do that.
“It happened in the past with clubs, but these days as soon as you get players with quality people want to take them.
“It’s disappointing but with Josh there will be financial reward.
“If we get the right fee we can reinvest it in the right way.”
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