Saturday 10 December 2016 07:36, UK
Mike Phelan wants Hull to "strike quickly" when the transfer market opens for business in January.
City began the season with the Premier League's smallest squad and are still looking for new recruits despite bringing in players at the end of the summer window.
Several targets have already been identified, and Phelan would like the deals done early in a January packed with six games, including the two-legged EFL Cup semi-final against Manchester United.
Speaking ahead of Saturday's home game against Crystal Palace, Phelan said: "We're working very, very hard - so are a lot of other clubs out there.
"All the players that are being put to us, and the players we are looking at, are also being looked at by many others. It's competitive. We need to try and strike quickly if we can, strike early.
"My owner is in discussions with people. It's just a case of wait and see. We have games before that, if we can get deals done early January then that would be terrific. It may be the end of January.
"We're in the process of it, we have some targets, hopefully we can get them over the line."
Phelan has contract issues to sort out, too, with Robert Snodgrass and Andrew Robertson among those whose deals are set to expire in the summer.
"Some players' contracts are due for renewal and discussions are taking place with all those players," Phelan added.
"But those players are here to play football, they have other people to take care of contracts and negotiations. Those are the people that sit down with our people and when there's something to talk about or announce that it will be done.
"I want the players just to concentrate on playing football. They get paid very well."
