Arbroath boss Paul Sheerin is looking to “beef up” his squad.
The Gayfield gaffer is determined to add more physicality to his side as they bid to drag themselves out of their current second-bottom position in League One.
Sheerin tried without success to bring in experienced former Morton centre-half Stewart Greacen last week but the 31-year-old opted to sign for Stenhousemuir instead.
The manager has long-term injury victim Ricky Little heading back to full fitness but admits his squad is still looking thin and he has redoubled his efforts to attract the right type of player to the club.
He said: “We are still working hard to bring a couple in. We have a list that we are whittling through.
“We had hoped to persuade Stewart Greacen to come to us but we missed out after he opted to go to Stenny last week.
“However, we are determined to bring the right types in and not just add to the squad for the sake of it.
“We are looking to introduce a bit more physicality as well as quality as the squad is looking a bit threadbare just now.
“Ricky Little has had his protective boot removed and is working with the physio but it might not be until the end of January before he is ready to make his comeback.”
Sheerin’s resources will be further stretched for Saturday’s home game against Dunfermline with Graham Bayne suspended.
The veteran striker was sent off last weekend in the 86th minute of the draw at Forfar by referee Craig Charleston, with the manager insisting the official misinterpreted an innocent friendly gesture by Bayne towards his former Inverness team-mate Darren Dods.
However, Arbroath will not be appealing the decision because of the potential costs involved with the SFA requiring a £250 fee which would only be returned if the red was rescinded.
Sheerin added: “I thought Bayney’s sending-off was very harsh. I think he knows Dodsy well and there was a wee coming together after which Bayney just rubbed his head.
“However, the referee decided to show him a red. I suppose under the strict letter of the law he had raised his hands to an opponent but it was still hard to take.
“We will not be appealing the decision. That costs money a club our size can ill afford to lose if the appeal was rejected.”