IAN Evatt is eyeing a hat-trick of further signings in the January window.

The Bolton boss has already loaned Marlon Fossey from Fulham, extended Xavier Amaechi’s deal from Hamburg and added Northern Ireland international Dion Charles for £320,000.

But the spending is set to continue – and while Evatt insists there will be no recklessness in the transfer market, he has spotted a few potential bargains that could be within budget.

Evatt had last month hinted he could utilise the loan market to bring in the extra players he needs for the second half of the season but speaking to The Bolton News on Monday, he has not ruled out a change of tack.

“Potentially all three could be cash investments – but I’ll stress, they will be investments,” he said of his recruitment plans.

“We are not going to overspend, or buy our way out of this division, or out ourselves at risk ever again.

“We have worked tirelessly to get to this stage where we can make those strategic investments. It is not to overspend, it is to live within our means and gain assets on the pitch.

“We are able to do that now and it has been a long time since we could say that, so huge credit to those involved.

“We want players who have a good financial value, who are maybe coming to the end of their contract and not looking to renew.

“At the end of the day if we wait to the summer in a free market maybe we can’t afford to battle against some of the bigger teams and budgets in this league, and certainly higher. We are trying to get ahead of the game and bring these players in early, get them playing for us and developing our squad as best we can.”

Wanderers go to Hartlepool United in the Papa John’s Trophy tonight looking to progress to the quarter final stage and with new additions Charles and Fossey likely to feature he is feeling more optimistic about the trip.

“It will be a tough game because going to Hartlepool you know it is a tight stadium, good home support and a team which has done well in recent times,” he said.

“For us, we have to go there with the same attitude we did at Rotherham, to compete, and then back our quality to get us a result.

“Things are looking brighter, some of the clouds have started to disappear and the sunshine is poking through after a few dark months.

“We will go there feeling confident we can get a result and progress in a competition I want to win.”