HULL City hope to add up to three new faces to Nigel Pearson's squad in the coming weeks – and have made a new striker a priority.

But more players still need to leave the KC Stadium before the Tigers can bring in fresh blood for the new campaign.

Head of football operations Adam Pearson says City have identified 'specific targets' to add 'pace and goals' to the side.

But with City still falling short of reducing their wage bill to their £15m target, work still needs to be done.

However, Pearson remains hopeful of having at least one new face before City kick-off their Championship campaign against Swansea on August 7.

And he says the club could stretch to 'possibly three' new arrivals – given some extra income through sales.

"We know exactly who we would bring in if we had the resource to do so," Pearson told the Mail.

"There could be a new addition before the start of the season, but we would have to have generated some funds in the transfer market.

"At most we could possibly stretch to three new faces, but at the minute we are a way off being able to bring in one player, let alone three.

"We need to lower the wage bill and freshen the squad up as well. It needs some pace and some more goals in it."

Striker Kamel Ghilas still appears likely to leave in the coming days, despite difficult negotiations over a year-long loan to French side Arles-Avignon.

City are seeking a deal to remove his entire £16,000 a week salary for a season, which could leave some room for manoeuvre in the market.

"We are obviously looking at loans and free transfers on the whole, with maybe the odd cheap import from overseas," Pearson added.

"The squad is a bit short in certain areas. We are a bit short of goals from a consistent goal-scorer and we are a bit short of legs.

"Nigel has particularly good contacts in Portugal, but new arrivals will be few and far between, and very select."