David Moyes, the Everton manager, admits he urgently needs to bring new players to the club before the start of the season.

Moyes has been frustrated in all his attempts to make signings during the summer, forcing the chairman Bill Kenwright to ask fans to be patient last week, while the first-team squad lacks depth.

Kenwright said he was “desperately keen” to see Moyes bring in new faces, though the manager is worried the club has left it too late. Everton, who beat Colorado Rapids 2-1 last night, finished fifth in last season’s Premier League but rival clubs of a similar stature such as Tottenham Hotspur and Portsmouth have been active in the transfer market over the summer.

“I was hoping to have added to the squad by now to give the players a lift,” Moyes said . "It’s not just a new face we need - it’s new faces. My big concern is that anybody we bring in now probably won’t be ready to start the Premier League season.

“It’s getting to the stage where you are wondering how long it takes for new players to settle. "I’m hoping we will have some in (before the start of the season). But I’m not totally confident because you never know what happens.”