Bolton captain Kevin Davies would welcome the introduction of some quality players into Wanderers' small squad next season.

Manager Gary Megson has been linked with a number of potential summer signings, the most significant being Sporting Lisbon's Miguel Veloso.

His pursuit of the Portuguese midfielder began in January but the £20million asking price brought a swift end to negotiations. Megson has made another bid for the 23-year-old - reported to be around £10million - but the clubs are still a long way apart in their valuation.

However, Davies believes that is the kind of signing Bolton need to make if they are to take a step up next season, especially as Megson has pledged to play a more open game in future if he can get the players he wants.

"I read the papers and look on a few websites and you see some people were not particularly happy at the end of the season," said the 32-year-old captain. "But to have played with such a small squad all year and finish 13th, and with clubs like Newcastle United going down, then I think the players deserve a lot of credit for what they achieved.

"We would like to have finished higher, of course, but I don't think we are too far away from doing that with the set of lads we have got here. If we can sign a couple of quality players over the summer, just to give us a push in the right direction, then I think we can get into the top 10."