KEVIN Davies does not think drastic action will be needed to transform Wanderers into top 10 contenders next season.

Whites players and fans alike are waiting anxiously for news of the first confirmed signing of the summer – and the skipper says he would like the emphasis to be on quality and not quantity as Gary Megson looks to boost his numbers.

Davies, and several other members of the squad, played through the pain of minor injuries towards the end of last season because of a lack of suitable replacements.

And although the striker knows fresh blood is a must if Wanderers are to better last season’s lower mid-table finish, he claims the existing players are well capable of helping the club progress too.

“I read the papers and look on a few websites and you see some people were not particularly happy at the end of the season,” said the 32-year-old captain.

“But to have played with such a small squad all year and finish 13th, and with clubs like Newcastle United going down, then I think the players deserve a lot of credit for what they achieved.

“We would like to have finished higher, of course, but I don’t think we are too far away from doing that with the set of lads we have got here.

“If we can sign a couple of quality players over the summer, just to give us a push in the right direction, then I think we can get into the top 10.”

Much has been made of Megson’s proposed style change next season, with the manager looking to employ a more expansive brand of football than he has been able to in the past. A lot hinges on whether he will be able to bring the right players to the club over the next couple of months but Davies also reckons some healthy rivalry within the camp can have a positive effect.

“It is nothing against the lads who are already here but sometimes you just need a bit of quality to come in a change things round a bit; to freshen things up and give you something different,” he said.

“If you are training all week and there is someone on your shoulder for your place in the team, then it makes you train that little bit harder.

“We have lacked that in some positions and I’m sure the gaffer will be looking to put it right over the summer.”

Davies is also happy in the knowledge that the club he left behind this summer will still be recognisable when the players return for pre-season training in mid-July.

For the last two seasons, wholesale changes to the backroom staff and training pitch have taken some getting used to.

“Big Sam leaving then last year battling against relegation was particularly hard,” Davies said. “The turnaround of players and staff at this club was incredible. I had a difficult time, I saw a lot of people I’d worked with over the last six years go, and there are lads who have been here even longer.

“For that amount of change, it will take time to settle. We have got a good base here, a good set of lads, and I genuinely think we can start moving forward now.”