Hull City's Grant McCann wants 'two or three more' signings as he looks to beef up forward line

McCann wants two more attacking options and an extra midfielder, and has not given up hope that some might arrive before Saturday's return to League One at Gillingham.

“Hopefully, touch wood, we can add one or two more bodies because we're still a bit light – I still think we're two or three bodies short. The quicker we can get them in, the better," said McCann, who has signed defenders Lewie Coyle, Josh Emmanuel, Alfie Jones and Festus Arthur, plus midfielders Richie Smallwood and Greg Docherty so far this transfer window.

No additions have yet been made to the forward line, although winger Malik Wilks's loan from Barnsley was made permanent at the end of last season.

“We need a couple of forwards, I think, to play in different positions,” said the coach, who usually favours a 4-3-3 formation.

“We need another midfield player to compete with what we’ve got.

“Max Sheaf and Callum (Jones) are two very good young players, don’t get me wrong, but we want to have competition in there.”

Hull's opening-day win over Sunderland guaranteed a minimum of 52 matches this season, though it will be a tall order to extend their League Cup run into the third round with a trip to Premier League Leeds United to overcome.

But with McCann keen for his team to prosper in the cup competitions, there is a need for squad depth in the squeezed season.

“We want to make sure that we have a good squad that can cope with this fixture pile-up,” argued McCann.

“We’ve only just come back and we’re Saturday-Tuesday, Saturday-Wednesday-Saturday in the space of no time, so we need a good squad for that, and if you’re going to compete at the top end of this league, you need a big squad. Not overly big, but you need everyone competing for positions in the team.”

The six signings to date have all moved permanently and whilst McCann would prefer that trend to continue, he is not wedded to it.

“There is options in terms of the loan market for us,” he said. “The salary cap does come into effect when we’re trying to recruit.

“We prefer our own players and that’s what we’re working on a lot in terms of trying to recruit our own players, so they can come with us, help us and grow with us – and in turn, make it successful this season.

“If there’s a loan where we think it’s going to fit and he’s the right sort of character then we’re not averse to doing it. Preferably our own would be nice.”

There could yet be further outgoings to ease the financial pressure, with midfielder Leonardo da Silva Lopes having told McCann he wants to leave after an impressive debut season. There was interest in the midfielder from Major League Soccer in January, and LA Galaxy are thought to be keen on centre-back Jordy de Wijs.

Support The Yorkshire Post and become a subscriber today.

Your subscription will help us to continue to bring quality news to the people of Yorkshire. In return, you’ll see fewer ads on site, get free access to our app and receive exclusive members-only offers.

So, please - if you can - pay for our work. Just £5 per month is the starting point. If you think that which we are trying to achieve is worth more, you can pay us what you think we are worth. By doing so, you will be investing in something that is becoming increasingly rare. Independent journalism that cares less about right and left and more about right and wrong. Journalism you can trust.

Thank you,

James Mitchinson