Sean Dyche was speaking on Thursday afternoon to preview Everton’s upcoming Premier League clash against Wolves

Sean Dyche is uncertain whether there will be further incomings at Everton before next Friday’s transfer deadline.

The Blues headed into this summer’s transfer window needing to upgrade and rebalance their squad, with a clear strategy finally in place. The club could not afford to gamble on its top-flight status by neglecting its forward line again.

And while Youssef Chermiti, Jack Harrison and Arnaut Danjuma have all been recruited to bolster the club’s attack, Everton remain in the market for more experienced forwards after seeing two bids rejected for Wilfried Gnonto by Leeds United and an offer dismissed by Southampton for Che Adams. Talks have also been opened with Udinese to explore a deal for Beto.

However, the financial constraints Everton are working under after years of lavish but reckless spending mean that getting deals over the line is not easy, while Dyche himself said on Thursday that his club do not have a “pot of gold”.

And asked if he was confident of bringing new additions in before next Friday’s deadline, Dyche replied: “No, I’m just confident that we are trying to work on ways of getting deals to be done.

“That’s the only thing I’m confident on, our work. I’m not commenting on whether we are definitely going to get anything.”

Before the Everton boss added: “I’ve been told there are certain things we can do and there’s lots of things we can’t.”

Everton take on Wolverhampton Wanderers at Goodison Park on Saturday, looking to pick up their first points of the new season after back-to-back defeats to Fulham and Aston Villa. And speaking on Thursday afternoon, Dyche didn’t rule out making changes to his side’s starting line-up following the horror show at Villa Park.

He said: “Ben [Godfrey] is there as well, training diligently. Jarrad [Branthwaite] is new to myself, it is a shame he has missed a few weeks in pre-season, but he is getting that sharpness now.

“He had a full 90 last week, which will do him good. He’s in contention. Everyone is in contention here; that is how you want it and how it should be.

“Dobbo [Lewis Dobbin] has come through in pre-season and certainly put himself in contention. Arnie [Arnaut Danjuma] is looking fitter and sharper; he’s certainly in contention. So, you want that competitive edge to the team and the group.”

Reflecting on the 4-0 defeat to Villa, Dyche said: “Footballers aren’t as thick as people think, especially about their profession. It doesn’t take a lot for me to point out what was wrong [at Villa], they know.

“So, therefore, it’s about talking to them about it more than anything. I wasn’t screaming and shouting at them. They come off the pitch and know what has gone wrong. What is shouting going to prove?

“They know they weren’t collectively up for it, so we spoke more about that, the bigger picture of it. It was a conversation with some analysis and a repointing in the right direction.

“Football gives you a jolt now and again. If you look, the first few games of a season often bring odd results; it’s not brand new to me, but you have to react to that.”