Paul Tisdale has confirmed conversations have taken place with the Bristol Rovers board in the past week to shape the club's January transfer plans.
The window opens in just 10 days and Rovers have imbalances to address in their squad, particularly up front with only two recognised strikers fit and available for the coming weeks.
And the manager has confirmed the decision-makers at the Mem have used the time afforded by the COVID-enforced self-isolation period, which postponed Rovers' past two fixtures, to refine their plans for the upcoming transfer window.
"When I say essential maintenance, which is what we have done, it’s been debates on whether we are doing the right things, are we coaching the right things," Tisdale said.
"There has been talk with the board and with (director of football) Tommy Widdrington especially on the future of recruitment and shaping the squad to reflect the type of team I would like for the future.
"There’s been some essential maintenance that we’ve been looking into. It would be wrong of us not to, it’s incumbent on us to do as much as we can to make the best of every situation and that’s what we’re trying to do."
Tisdale has confirmed Rovers will be active in the market, but he expects deals to be hard to come by with clubs driving a hard bargain right up to the deadline on February 1.
The manager explained: "From being involved in this for the past 15 or 16 years, the January transfer window, 99 per cent of your discussions and plans never come to fruition because it’s a bit of a circus. Things rarely get done until the end.
"We might be lucky, we might get a few deals early, but I’m expecting the same scenario: last minute at the end of January.
"I’m expecting the same again because everyone holds off trying to get a better deal or a better scenario until the very last minute, that’s how it works."
