DOUGIE Freedman says he may have to be patient to add to his attacking ranks at Wanderers.

The Whites manager saw his side draw a blank as they went down 1-0 to Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem at the Macron Stadium yesterday with chances at a premium for the hosts in their final outing of pre-season.

Afterwards, the Scot reiterated the need to find a clinical touch in front of goal ahead of Saturday’s Championship opener at Watford and that the search for additions ahead of that curtain-raiser continues.

But he concedes the timing at present is not quite right for the players he wants and admits he may have to keep playing a waiting game until the end of the transfer window.

Freedman told The Bolton News: “When the money is not what you’d like it to be, you cannot dictate in the market.

“You can’t just wake up and say I will spend X amount on a player and go and get him.

“You have to look at loans or transfers when a club gets someone else in and it frees up players – that’s exactly where we are right now.

“We are only going to get to that position of bringing players in if the market starts moving in our favour.

“It could be there is more movement at the back end of the window.

“We have to wait and see if one of my targets comes available.

“I can’t put a timescale on it and it is tough right now.

“We have to make sure we all stick together as a team, a squad and fans.

“If we do that, we have a fighting chance.

“Hopefully, something will fall in our lap.

“I think I’ve proved my signings will do all right. I never panic in the market.

“If we want the right ones, we have to be patient.

“Believe me I am in the market for two or three attack-minded players when the timing is right for us.”

Freedman fielded a strong starting line-up against Vitesse with Jermaine Beckford as a lone front man.

There were one or two chances but as a team the attacking creativity was again lacking.

But the boss felt it was a good workout for his players ahead of Saturday’s league opener.

He added: “It was a fantastic workout.

“These pre-season games can be a little bit false.

“But I got what I wanted to out of the game and many played 90 minutes which is good.

“We just need to make sure attacking-wise we are a little bit more clinical when one or two chances do come our way and that is what I want to help by adding new players.”

Two men who were not involved yesterday were midfielders Mark Davies and Josh Vela who Freedman revealed post-match were both carrying knocks and as a result not risked.

He said: “Josh Vela had a little bit of weakness in his knee in the week so he missed out.

“Mark Davies has had a problem with his little toe.

“We have been giving him injections during pre-season.

“But I thought Sunday was too soon after Wednesday for him.”