Sam Allardyce has revealed that he will be looking to take players on loan from the Premier League in order to boost numbers.
Allardyce, speaking after last night's encouraging 1-0 win in Copenhagen confirmed that he was still keen to bring in several new faces before the transfer deadline, including loan players from Premier League clubs.Although Matt Taylor looks set to become Allardyce's third signing of pre-season the West Ham boss insists that he needs at least five more players for his squad to be of sufficient depth to cope with the rigours of a 50+ game season.
"We need to add to and build that squad because 13 first team squad players have left West Ham already," Allardyce told Danish TV. "That's a large number of players to lose - obviously that's down to the financial scenario we faced.
"We need to bring in some players from other clubs, from the Premier League - if we can get them on loan, particularly - and up the strength and depth of the squad.
"I think the first eleven or twelve players are certainly good enough but in this league of 46 games - a long season - we need at least 20 outfield players and three goalkeepers. So out into the market as quick as we can; we're progressing quite nicely at the moment."
Allardyce also revealed that he had used the trip to speak with retired midfielder Michael Johansen, a FIFA-licenced agent who used to play for Allardyce at Bolton Wanderers.
"I was with Michael last night - Michael being an agent, as everybody knows," he confirmed. "We were talking at great length about the players that might be available although I'm not going to disclose publically who they might be - that might put the price up too much!"
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