WANDERERS go into the final 48 hours of the transfer window with hopes still high they can strengthen their squad.

Ian Evatt gave little away as his side were beaten for the first time in the league this season at Cambridge but repeated that the club are seeking to move on fringe players – understood to be Ali Crawford and Brandon Comley.

The Bolton boss was more circumspect when asked if a frustrating afternoon at the Abbey Stadium would hasten or change his plans to bring in “one or two” before Tuesday evening’s deadline.

“We are always looking to improve,” he said. “There are one or two that we feel need to go out and play games, so we will see how it all develops.”

The absence of Xavier Amaechi and Amadou Bakayoko – who are both expected to be side-lined until October at the earliest – has fuelled speculation that Evatt will look to add to his attacking ranks with a loan deal.

Players currently at Category One academies are of particular interest to the Whites, who may also have to juggle the number of senior players they register to play league football next week.

Crawford and Comley have fallen completely out of favour at the UniBol and are both believed to be looking elsewhere – but unless they move some or all of their salary off the books it seems unlikely that Wanderers will extend themselves financially.

The club must settle its unsecured creditors to the EFL’s liking by Tuesday or incur penalties – but while the club has declined to comment on the matter in recent months it is understood they are preparing an official update.

Wanderers are also no nearer to agreeing a new deal with Dennis Politic, who has gone out on loan for the rest of the season with Tuesday’s night’s opponents in the Papa John’s Trophy, Port Vale.

Asked after the Cambridge game if there was an update, Evatt added abruptly: "No."

The winger has been offered another 12 months at Bolton after completing his rehab from a serious knee injury and was an unused substitute in Vale’s 2-0 win at Forest Green on Saturday.