HARRY Kewell only wants to make minor tweaks to his squad but knows it needs beefing up in the January window given the current coronavirus situation.

Having inherited just eight players on his arrival last August, the Latics boss has built a new-look squad which finds itself firmly in mid-table in League Two ahead of tomorrow’s FA Cup third round tie with Bournemouth.

The head coach is largely happy with what he’s seen from those who arrived in the first transfer window of the season and sees this month as more of a topping up process.

He is however wary of potential fixture backlogs at the tail end of the season.

With games increasingly being called off for Covid-19 reasons and the EFL’s introduction of twice-weekly testing from Monday likely to highlight more cases, Kewell knows a lot may be asked of his players in the second half of the season.

“I like my squad at the moment, there’s no question about it,” he told The Oldham Times.

“It’s still a brand-new squad that’s only been put together this year.

“We don’t need too many changes. Ideally I’d like to bring in maybe two or three max, no more than that, just to top up and create more competition.

“I think to create more competition is only good for the players that are here now and if we do get struck down by a circuit breaker or we do get delayed by the weather the games are going to come thick and fast.

“You’re going to need enough players to play these games.”

New squad rules mean EFL managers have something of a balancing act this month.

In League Two, clubs are allowed to register 22 players although that does not include those under the age of 21.

Kewell also has the option to turn to academy players if needed, Junior Luamba the latest homegrown player to make his debut of late, the striker starting the 0-0 draw at Grimsby in the final game of 2020.

“We’re close to the limit but like everyone else you’ve got to be prepared,” the Latics boss said.

“We’ve got some fantastic young players as well and it’s a shame I haven’t been able to give them some more game-time.

“We’re happy but two or three people would be a great addition to this squad.”

Kewell has already indicated he will be looking to extend the stays of Arsenal loanee Harry Clarke and Jordan Barnett, whose short-term contract expires at the end of the month.

Clarke’s initial loan agreement with the Gunners concludes on January 20 while Barnett could be handed a contract until at least the end of the season.