Bolton Wanderers boss Sam Allardyce is hoping to complete the signings of up to three new players this week.
Allardyce has endured a frustrating summer in the transfer market with Abdoulaye Meite and Quinton Fortune, from Marseille and Manchester United respectively, his only major new recruits.
He hopes that will change in the lead-up to Saturday's Barclays Premiership opener against Tottenham but he admits any new arrivals will probably come too late to feature in that game.
'Hopefully by the middle of the week,' Allardyce told the club's official website, www.bwfc.co.uk, when asked about possible incoming transfers.
'But having said that, if we bring somebody in next week he won't be ready for Tottenham, Fulham or Charlton because that would be too early for them to be included.
'If we could improve on the core of the team - one up front, one in the middle and one at the back, I think that would be enough.'
Allardyce's preparations for the season have also been hampered by a number of injury problems and this week's international call-ups have been disruptive.
Allardyce added: 'It's about getting the injured players fit here - as many as possible to get the team ready for Tottenham on Saturday.'
'The restrictions we've had placed on us have made it the most difficult ever to prepare for a new season because it's international week.'
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