KEITH Curle has revealed Latics are competing with clubs from higher up the EFL as he bids to strengthen his squad.

The Oldham head coach has run the rule over a host of trialists in the opening three friendlies, including former skipper Dean Furman, a free agent after leaving Carlisle at the end of last season.

Curle has reiterated he is in no rush to fill his squad having already added Jayson Leutwiler, Jordan Clarke, Harrison McGahey, Sam Hart and Hallam Hope to his options.

And while Latics are unlikely to be a big hitter in this window, the boss believes he has some cards to play when it comes to attracting new faces to Boundary Park.

“We’re certainly sat at the right tables and we’re competing with some clubs in higher divisions,” Curle said.

“Sometimes it’s going to be different factors – location, game time that we can offer people, but we’re sat at the right tables with some of the players and their representatives.

“Will there be new players? Yes, if I think they’re going to add more to the squad than what’s already here.”

Curle has been full of praise for those who have trained at Chapel Road looking to earn a deal in what is a crowded market place this summer.

Clubs up and down the country have cut their cloth due to the on-going impact of the Covid-19 pandemic meaning more players than ever find themselves looking for a new home.

It remains a very fluid situation at Latics with players coming and going ahead of the new season, Curle determined to get the right mix of players he needs to compete at the sharp end of League Two in the coming campaign.

“All the trialists that have come in have been a credit to themselves,” he said.

“They’ve fit into what we’re trying to build and the culture that we’re trying to create. It’s been a pleasure working with them.

“Some of them have already gone, some of them the likelihood is will get shuffled down the pack.

“The door’s still open for some of the trialists that are here but some of the other people that we are speaking to and sometimes that can have a knock-on effect.

“It’s one of those, on the surface we’re like a duck, nice and serene, and under the water we’re working extremely hard to make sure we bring in the right people, because that’s important.

“There are still thousands of players that aren’t employed. If I want to fill the changing room up I can fill it tomorrow with players that are desperate to play, but I’ve got to bring in the right players and the right people.”