The Latics boss had earmarked a striker and a defender as his most wanted, having already made 10 additions since the end of last season.

And with the amount of injuries Oldham sustained during pre-season the search for new signings has become more pressing.

But Mellon believes he is making progress on that front.

“You always are (hopeful)  but it’s never as easy as that. We maybe think we might have done something, but until it’s done and dusted, it isn’t done. It’s not over the line,” he said.

“We think we’ve been close a few times, but we think we’re closer on one or two and maybe get a few bodies into the building on Monday for the Accrington game.

“It’s hard, everybody wants a goalscorer and we’re no different to anybody else. But we’ll try to find other ways of getting goals as well if we need to. Everybody should chip in, but we’re definitely hoping that we might be able to bring someone up that end of the pitch to help Mike (Fondop). I thought he fought and scrapped like you wouldn’t believe, and that’s a tough shift up there.

“So maybe we can get somebody to help him with that shift, and continue to be a threat like we were (on Saturday).”

And Mellon said his focus had not changed on what he feels he needs, despite the pre-season injuries affecting two key midfield players.

“No, we always knew that we needed what we’re trying to get in anyway,” he said.

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