Tottenham Hotspur will spend this week trying to hand under-pressure head coach Ange Postecoglou a transfer boost and the club are attempting to accelerate plans for the summer to avoid another slow-moving window.

Southampton winger Tyler Dibling and Lille midfielder Angel Gomes are two players Spurs have held talks over as they attempt to set up deals for the summer window, and they are also trying to secure at least one new outfield signing this month.

Postecoglou admitted that he would desperately like at least one new player through the door before the transfer window shuts next Monday to help him get through the next 10 days to two weeks, when he hopes a number of key players will start returning from injury.

Tottenham have been looking at defenders and forwards this month, but have found the January market to be extremely challenging. They are yet to make a single outfield signing.

Their interest in a loan deal for Evan Ferguson has underlined the challenge they face as the Brighton and Republic of Ireland international, who is also interesting West Ham, would be reluctant to agree a deal with Spurs in the knowledge that Richarlison is available again and Dominic Solanke will return to fitness in around five weeks.

Spurs would ideally like to sign Dibling in January but if that proves beyond them the club are also discussing trying to get an agreement in place for him to move at the end of the season.

Midfield is not an area of priority for January, but Gomes – who is out of contract at the end of the season and free to speak to clubs outside France – is a player on Tottenham’s radar.

Securing agreements for both players before the summer, or at least advancing negotiations, would put Tottenham in a strong position but they acknowledge that the next week must be spent trying to hand Postecoglou a much-needed boost.

Sporting director Johan Lange sat next to chief football officer Scott Munn behind chairman Daniel Levy during Sunday’s defeat by Leicester that Postecoglou described as being his lowest point of the season.

Goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky is Tottenham’s only January signing so far and the lack of outfield reinforcements has hit Postecoglou hard.

Not only could Postecoglou not name a full substitutes’ bench for the latest home defeat but he admitted that goalscorer Richarlison should have been taken off at half-time and Pape Matar Sarr should not have played at all.

While Postecoglou has been relatively calm about Tottenham’s lack of business so far, it is understood there is frustration from staff behind the scenes that outfield players have not been brought in earlier to try to alleviate some of the Australian’s problems.

Tottenham have been desperate to avoid rushing into a decision on Postecoglou’s future and the focus has been trying to support him, but pressure is growing following successive defeats by Everton and Leicester, and with his team stuck in 15th place, eight points above the relegation zone.

It is understood that Spurs are understanding of the injury crisis Postecoglou has faced and believe that changing the manager again would leave the club in a difficult position as they attempt to build something lasting.

Furthermore, the prospect of having to finish a third season with Ryan Mason in caretaker charge would be hugely embarrassing and provoke more criticism towards Levy.