Town boss Kieran McKenna says the Blues need to make “a lot more additions” in order to have a squad capable of competing in the Premier League but says nothing is imminent, although target Sammie Szmodics was absent from the Blackburn squad for their friendly this afternoon.

“I don’t think there’s anything, as far as I know of, very imminent in terms of the next day or so,” McKenna said when quizzed on current developments.

“We’re working really hard, we know we need to make a lot more additions to have a squad that’s strong enough to be competitive in Premier League games.

“We’re all working really, really hard on that and we’ve still got a few weeks before the season starts and a few more weeks before the window closes on top of that and I think we all know how imperative it is that we improve the squad further.”

Town have been continuing discussions with Blackburn regarding forward Szmodics for more than a fortnight now with the two parties understood to have been inching towards a deal.

A fee of £8 million - up from the initial offer of £6 million - plus top-ups taking it to £10 million is understood to be on the table and seems likely to be enough to finally get the move over the line.

Szmodics’s absence from the Rovers squad at Wigan may indicate the Lancastrians are resigned to his departure.

While not commenting on any specific moves, McKenna was asked about the balance between maintaining the ‘band of brothers’ team spirit which has seen the Blues to back-to-back promotions, while making Premier League quality additions.

“It’s certainly a balance to get,” he reflected. “We’ve got a group and so many of them played from our season in League One to the season in the Championship.

“We know that we’ve built such a good spirit and style of play, culture in the group, the environment at the training ground, all those things, and that the challenge is to grow that with the players who have been very important to us but with everybody knowing that we need to add considerably to that group to deal with the demands of the division.

“I think everyone inside the club is comfortable with that, the players who have been such a big part of it are the first ones to acknowledge that and know that we need to improve the group, and they also want the help because they know the scale of the challenge that they’re going into.

“I think that’s always the challenge but I’m really confident with the group of players, the group of staff that we have that we’ll be able to do that.”

While the Blues have signed five players - Omari Hutchinson, Aro Muric, Liam Delap, Jacob Greaves and Ben Johnson - it’s perhaps been a surprise that Town haven’t so far added anyone with significant Premier League experience, although McKenna says players of that profile have been looked at.

“You always have a balance wit your recruitment because if you’re a newly promoted side, you’re probably not going to sign someone in the prime of their career with lots of Premier League experience because it’s really hard to do that as a newly promoted side from a financial and from a football status point of view,” he continued.

“That’s just the reality, we had the same last year in the Championship as a newly promoted side.

“Of course, we have to look at things differently and sometimes you’ll find a player with good Premier League experience who is maybe a little bit older and that’s a profile that we’ve looked at in different positions over the summer.

“We’ve brought in younger players who have had some Premier League experience, that’s one possible attribute, and sometimes you prioritise youth and physicality and hunger to improve and ability to develop and ability to still grow as a player over those attributes, so there’s always a balance of everything.

“In an ideal world, we want to have a squad that has a good balance of experience. We still have a lot of experienced players in the squad, Samy Morsy, Massimo Luongo, Cameron Burgess is 28 now, Conor Chaplin’s an experienced football, Wes Burns has experience.

“We have lots of experienced footballers, maybe without Premier League experience. We have lots of young players who have had Premier League exposure, have been at Premier League clubs and if we can find players who can have a balance of both, then that would be welcome as well.

“I think the most important thing is to have a balance of the squad that can implement the style of football that we believe is going to make us competitive in the division and that’s what we’ll try and do.”

Several of the five players signed so far can play a number of positions and McKenna was asked whether that’s a key element when it comes to bringing players in.

“It is,” he said. “But I also think we need to have two specialists for each position, at least, there’s no two ways about it.

“That was the target last year and I think we there or thereabouts had it, maybe you could say with Leif [Davis] we didn’t have an out-and-out specialist left-back but we had boys who could fill in there and do a really good job.

“We want to have two specialists for each position but on top of that, going into this season especially, we know with the physical demands of the league, there’s every chance that we’ll pick up a few more issues than we have done previously from a physical perspective.

“So having players who can cover different positions, bring different qualities, is really important to us and we’ve got some in the door that can do that and it’s always a good asset to have.”

Could one or two more move on before the window closes at the end of August? “It’s possible. At the moment, we’re short of numbers, there’s no two ways about it. With the few injuries that we have, we’re short of numbers, so at the moment everybody who’s training with us, and I’m going to include Fin [Barbrook] and Leon [Ayinde], who have been with us all this week.

“They’re really important to the group and have to be ready to play a part in the Premier League. That’s just the reality of where we’re at with numbers and availability.

“But as the month develops, if we manage to make the additions that we want to make, then we have to have a squad that’s an appropriate size and we’ll look at everyone’s individual case of what’s going to be the best for them and the best for the team.

“But, I say again, at the moment, absolutely every person who is with the group is very important to us getting ready for the season.”

Photo: TWTD

Linkboy13 added 19:40 - Jul 27 Yes it was evident on today's showing we need more editions. More importantly missing today was the spirit and togetherness was missing amongst the squad and this will need rebuilding very quickly.
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victorysquad added 19:52 - Jul 27 A huge amount going on at the club this summer already but the squad has to take priority, so hopefully the building works can be delegated as Ashton needs to have 4 or 5 negotiations going on at a time right now
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joyousblue added 19:59 - Jul 27 Togetherness linkboy 13 is familiarity, and that takes time its called friendlies give us a break for christs sake theres a lot of upgrading going on players learning new instructions new tactics ,
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TimmyH added 20:05 - Jul 27 That's comforting to know coming from McKenna, as for the friendly today I don't take them too seriously whether we win or lose. Next!
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jas0999 added 20:07 - Jul 27 5-7 new signings a must. Not all starters of course, but for cover.
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GTRKing added 20:17 - Jul 27 We need some more quality players Positions we need ST/CF LW CM/CAM CDM/CM (X2) So about 5 more players That will do but need to get the right ones One we got all the players we need in! Freddie Ladapo loan out to lower championship/top league 1 team George Emdunson loan out to top championship team Cameron Humpfreys loan to top league 1 team All -Al Ahamadi loan out to lower championship top league 1 team

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Edmundo added 20:44 - Jul 27 Midfield needs help, we need cover for attack if injuries mount up, and definitely need another defender. Personally I think this year is a free hit so why upset te spirit with more than we need to cover the outfield positions. Replacing a squad member must be with a better player who also fits into the squad and doesn't think he's Billy Big Boll%^&s
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Tampa_Florida_Blue added 21:11 - Jul 27 I said this at the start of last season, we needed 2 seasons in the Championship to give us time to build the squad. We done better than most us expected. It going to be tough to blend so many new faces into flowing football. I will be happy if we finish 13-15th area this season. Good luck KM and team.
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trevski_s added 21:15 - Jul 27 My reckoning is we still need the following (if whole team is fit): GK - I cant see Walton wanting to sit on the bench for another season LB - Cover for Leif when he needs a rest CM CAM - Hopefully this will be Sammie ST - Maybe more of an impact sub striker so we rotate between Hirst/Delap Loan Out Humphreys, Baggot, Slicker, Ali It's handy we have players like Omari that can cover multiple positions. Like Kieran was saying, don't want to replace the whole squad after the amazing 2 seasons they've had and the bond they've built. It's a difficult balance to work out but i'm sure McKenna, Ashton and the team have thought about all this

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churchmans added 21:18 - Jul 27 Everybody saying we need cover lol! We need starters! The cover is the majority of the players that started!! Fortunas season starts next week! Ours starts in 3weeks time so I'm not that concerned!
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tetchris added 21:18 - Jul 27 First game is 17th August so Ashton and his team need to step it up
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PortmanTerrorist added 21:22 - Jul 27 I know much was made of it on commentary but that Tanaka(?) looked a proper box to box midfielder.....we could do worse?! Regardless, KM is correct, we did look light today but feel like we have showed our hand now re negotiations.
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Karlosfandangal added 21:31 - Jul 27 Strange some are saying 5 to 7 more signings but loan out 4 or 5, I make that about 10 or 12 more signings to have a team capable of competing
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algarvefan added 21:55 - Jul 27 My oh my we are all in a panic this evening, have some faith in some of the players we have and most importantly the momentum that those players have brought with them on back to back promotions. Yes we need to bring in a few more as cover/strengthen and I think that will happen. Whatever the signings, coming up from Division 1 in just 2 seasons was always going to make the PL hard for us, we need to stick to our game plans and give 110% ALL season and we will be OK. I trust Keiran and the management team to do us justice this season and I trust the players we already have because they truly care. Never hurts to have a few more in, lets wait and see what happens.

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WestSussexBlue added 21:56 - Jul 27 Timmy H; I agree, Kmc acknowledged the fact that we are some way from being ready in terms of squad depth. The plan is without doubt to be competitive and stay in the league. Some promoted sides have clearly been happy to participate at best mentioning no names!
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ArnieM added 22:27 - Jul 27 lol ^^^^ wonder who you could be referring to?
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trevski_s added 00:23 - Jul 28 @karlos you also got to think about squad size as Premier only allows max of 25 (over 21 years old). The current ones that would be classed as under 21 (those born on or after 1st January 2003) are Omari, Humphreys and Delap We are currently at 27 players that are classed as first team. Of them I can see: Sold - Ndaba and possibly Walton, Ladapo Loaned out - Humphreys, Slicker, Ali, Baggott And JD is leaving after pre-season If all them go that takes us to 19 players. I said we could do with at least 5 more players (24 total) and you can imagine Kieran would want a 3rd keeper on the books (25 total (23 with the two under 21s))

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Bazza8564 added 08:01 - Jul 28 I think Trevski has it about right, but we need to remember this was a stretch on the turf for us yesterday whilst Fortuna are a week away from their league. Had we put Omari and Axcel in there we would have looked a bit different, but our MF looks week against better sides. Much better when JT dropped back. There were plusses though, Muric looks brave and bold, Johnson got exposed by others' mistakes but I liked the look of him, Greaves looks useful, Harness worked himself back into my reckoning and, although he won't get near it just yet, Barbrook looks like he has a future. The Luongo Morsy combination feels like the area of greatest need, and Burgess / Wolfy second half, not really quite sure what to say about that but it wasnt great....

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timkatieadamitfc added 09:11 - Jul 28 Interesting that kmck still thinks we need “ a lot more additions”
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SpiritOfJohn added 10:16 - Jul 28 Last week we were heading for the Champions League and this week we need 11 more players. Let's try to keep some perspective. Fortuna were good and ahead of us in their preparations. Kieran will have learned more from this than a run out against weaker opponents. On the positive side Muric and Greaves looked good; Johnson looked capable of getting up and down the pitch but needs help on his positioning and DeLap looks strong but needs more time with his new teammates to learn our patterns. Everyone else played their usual game and looked fit. Morsy was the only one who looked like he hates losing so he is going to need some help - hoping that Taylor can step up but that is our most important area that needs strengthening. Plus points were the performances of Harness and a cameo from Barbrook towards the end. Anyone thinking we needed another season in the Championship to prepare for the Premier League should understand that we probably would have lost at least Davis, Hutchinson and Mckenna if we had failed to go up. Fingers crossed that Burns will be all right.

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Lightningboy added 10:41 - Jul 28 Problem is all these players picking up / sorting out injuries & niggles before we've even kicked a premier league ball. Still need: A Left back to cover Leif. Centre midfielder. Left sided attacker. Back-up number 10 (hopefully Szmodics) Have more than enough to play / cover RB position but so many of them seem to be injured at the mo. ...and i'm amazed Ladapo is still here & wearing that number 9 shirt..time to offload.

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Marinersnose added 12:19 - Jul 28 A good workout and minutes in legs. Muric looks a decent keeper with his feet and Greaves quick and strong. Harness and Chaplin looked well up for it and played as if they had a point to prove. It’s reassuring that McKenna wants more additions as our midfield is too slow for PL and he will definitely address this area. I think a few fans maybe surprised when the team lines up against Liverpool. I don’t think many from last season will start. It’s a huge step up and I for one trust McKenna.

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Marcus added 13:04 - Jul 28 At the end of last season, a few of us said we needed a whole new first team with the current XI fighting for the bench (excluding the obvious ones like Lief and Omari). Anyone who wasn't a regular last season and isn't a developing player can move on (sorry, Freddie). Of course, there's a fog of war - no imminent signings then four players sign is not entirely impossible...

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TubbyToast added 13:52 - Jul 28 The injuries woes excuses have started 3 weeks early. KM is getting in early to dampen down expectations for the season ahead - probably a good idea. He has only experienced positive vibes/praise since joining. He has yet to experience the fickle ITFC boo boys when we lose 4 on the bounce and are scrapping at the bottom!
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KBsSocks added 14:34 - Jul 28 "Conor Chaplin's an experienced football" might need tweaking :)
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