Martinez still has sights on trio

ROBERTO Martinez is targeting three more new signings before the transfer window slams shut at the end of the month.

Antolin Alcaraz, James McArthur, Mauro Boselli, Ronnie Stam and Ali Al Habsi have all put pen to paper this summer, after Steve Gohouri signed a permanent deal at the end of last season.

There have been plenty of outgoings, though, with Olivier Kapo, Jason Koumas, Antonio Amaya, Titus Bramble, Paul Scharner and Mario Melchiot all now off the wage bill.

With Dan de Ridder set to join them and Jason Scotland continuing to be linked with Ipswich, the Wigan boss admits he’s still scouring the market.

Martinez told the Evening Post: “We are trying to bring two or maybe three players in before the end of the transfer window.

“It’s a long time to go until January, when you can next do something about your squad.

“I just feel that, even though I am pleased with the quality we have here, we need to make sure we have good strength in depth and numbers.

“It is hard at this stage of the season, but we have been following a number of players, working extremely hard, and hopefully something will happen.

“If they come off, then great. If not, at least all the major targets we were after are already at the football club – and that is great reward for the amount of work we have put in.”

With the future of Scotland unclear at the minute, Martinez confirmed he was concentrating his search in the last third of the pitch.

“We might be a little bit thin up front, and we are looking to do something this month,” he added.

“I am not just talking about bringing in cover, either. The players we are looking at have to be able to start straightaway.”

l Maynor Figueroa will be fit for Saturday’s clash with Blackpool despite twisting his ankle at Dundee United.

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