Blackpool in need of 4 or 5 new players, says interim boss Terry McPhillips

That leaves free transfers as the most likely source of new recruits, which McPhillips believes the club badly needs.

“We need four or five more to help out. It’s a thin squad,” he said.

“There’s a few more needed to supplement the group. If we do that I think we can have a good season.

“We’re looking for at least one more loan to help us and some out-of-contact players.

“We’ve got some targets but that’s nothing new. Gary had targets. We will see what we can do.

“I think we’re looking all over the pitch. Twenty players left in the summer and 13 have come in, so if you do the maths you can tell we’re a bit short on where we finished the season numbers-wise.

“We probably won’t be signing another seven but I’d say we certainly need to sign another four or five more players with quality.”

McPhillips was speaking after Pool suffered their first defeat of the season on Saturday, when Portsmouth won 2-1 at Bloomfield Road.

That brought an end to a tumultuous week at the club, following Gary Bowyer’s shock resignation on the Monday.

McPhillips insisted the players did not allow the upheaval off the pitch to affect them.

“No, it hasn’t been difficult to get them ready,” he said.

“They’ve been as good as gold and trained ever so well.

“I think they were shocked but they dusted themselves down and got on with it.

“They’re good lads and we’ve got a good group, but we do need a few more to get in some added quality.”

One man Blackpool did bring in last week was defender Donervon Daniels, who signed for the club on Thursday.

The centre-back, who was unattached following his release from Wigan Athletic, has signed a contract until the end of the season.

The 24-year-old spent time on loan with the Seasiders back in 2014, making 19 appearances and scoring one goal during their most recent season in the Championship.

McPhillips added: “Donervon can play centre-back or either full-back position.

“He’s a big, strong boy and he’s a good lad. He did well on loan at Rochdale last year and we’re delighted we’ve added him to the group.”