Steven Schumacher believes the Wanderers squad is strong enough to achieve their goals this season – and didn’t think it was “necessary” to make further signings in the final stages of the window.

Kion Etete arrived on loan from Cardiff less than 24 hours after Schumacher was named Bolton’s new head coach.

There were no further incomings, although Randell Williams and Scott Arfield both departed on deadline day.

Schumacher revealed he had previously tried to sign Etete and is looking forward to working with the forward.

“Obviously when I went through the interview process we knew, and you could see from the outside, another centre-forward of a different profile would have been helpful for this squad,” he told The Bolton News.

“Kion came in who is that physical number nine presence, something that we didn't really have. He is somebody I have followed for a long time from when he was at Spurs, I tried to sign him before he went to Cardiff. He is somebody I have admired so adding him to the squad was good.

“We got past the weekend and there were no major injury concerns. Sometimes that would have played a part if we’d have picked up a big injury at Reading, that might have put a spanner in the works, but we didn't.

“Then, I had the conversation about the squad. This squad is big so obviously Randell Williams and Scotty Arfield moving on was probably the right call because game time may have been limited for them.

“In both parties' interests it probably was best for them to move on, so we wish them well in the future. We spoke on Monday about if we wanted to bring anything in extra, and we felt that it probably wasn't necessary.

“I want to give the players here an opportunity to really stake a claim. I think there is some talent in this squad, some real strength and depth, and I believe it has got enough to achieve what we want to this season.”

Arfield only made three starts following his arrival at Wanderers in the summer, while Williams had fallen down the pecking order after Alex Murphy’s arrival on loan from Newcastle.

When asked if he had been wary of the issues that can stem from big squads, Schumacher replied: “A little bit.

“The last thing you want as a coach or player is going through the training sessions every week without any sort of light at the end of the tunnel, or any there might be an opportunity.

“A new manager coming in, it is a fresh slate for everyone really. Everyone has got to earn their right to play in the team.

“When you sense as a player that no matter what you do in the training sessions, there is not going to be any game time for you at the weekend, it can be demoralising.

“That makes it more difficult for us and the coaching staff to pick a team and keep everybody motivated.

“So we just decided that the squad was probably a little bit too heavy and it wouldn't be a bad idea if it was trimmed down by a couple to keep everybody motivated and at it.”