John Eustace has reiterated that Blackburn Rovers need to add some new signings if they're to improve on last year's finish.
Rovers have yet to make a senior addition to their squad despite the Championship season opener being less than one month away.
There are irons in the fire, with Liam Cooper and Tim Krul two players Rovers are actively pursuing. The loan market will be important for Rovers at the top end of the pitch, with finances limited.
Eustace has continually spoken about the desire to add 'four or five' faces, whilst retaining the bulk of the squad that finished 19th in the division last term.
When asked about recruitment, he again reiterated the need to bulk out what is a very thin and inexperienced squad.
"There isn't many different players from last year, a few on loan and the 23s coming up," he told RoversTV after the win over Tranmere Rovers at the weekend.
"The squad is very small. We need to improve that and we need to bring in good quality to help the rest of the group.
"That is something we are trying to do. I know the recruitment team are working their socks off to get the right characters in, the right players in.
"I've spoken about coming in last season, we kept the team in the league but now I want to build this fantastic football club into a very competitive Championship team again.
"Hopefully, with the help of more players coming in, we can do that."
Rovers beat the League Two opposition 3-0 and 5-3 in two 60-minute matches. Eustace changed his entire team, as he did against Accrington Stanley, with Arnor Sigurdsson's return the only alterations to either side.
There were seven different goal-scorers, with Dilan Markanday also netting a brace in the second match. After heavily relying on the goals of Sam Szmodics last year, Eustace wants to see more players contributing.
"It's important that everyone is playing their part," he admitted.
"We have looked at the numbers and what we need to be successful next season and where the goals have got to come from.
"It's great that different players are finding the net from different areas of the pitch as well."
Rovers are now in Austria and will begin their week away today, with a friendly against 2.Bundesliga side Nurnberg on Saturday.
Eustace has a 29-man squad, packed with youngsters who, for many, will be experiencing their first senior trip.
"It will be another tough week of fitness work where we get our points across on how we want to play," Eustace explained.
"It's about fitness over pre-season and we have a good opportunity to improve the bonding between players and staff as well.
"It should be good fun. Pre-season is about getting to know each other, with the young lads coming up as well, it'll be good to see how they cope with the pressure and intensity of going away on their first trip.
Everyone who has trained so far, from the oldest to the youngest boy, their attitude has been sensational. It has to be like that if we are a small tight-knit group.
"Everyone will play a big part in our success this season. The players we have here are a fantastic group and we're excited to go away and learn a bit more about each other.
"It's important we keep testing the boys, the quality has to be better in terms of the teams we play against. The next game coming up will be difficult but we're ready, we'll try a few different things that we're looking at.
"The most important thing is to avoid any injuries and improve the lads' fitness."
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