Caldwell underlines importance of 'flexibility' in the market

Although the recruitment process started before the end of last term, the Latics boss has yet to make his first signing of the off-season.

He accepts this summer's World Cup will naturally have a knock-on effect on clubs getting their business done as smoothly as they would ordinarily expect.

But with a major rebuild on his hands - more than half of his squad from last season have either moved on, returned to parent clubs or considering their options - he knows the clock is ticking.

"I think always, when there's a major tournament on, there's a kind of lull in terms of movement," said Caldwell.

"At our level, it's not so much the players who are away, but in terms of loans...they'll all be reporting back to their parent clubs, who will have loads of players away at the World Cup.

"You have to be patient when it comes to those kinds of players, but I always feel in these situations you have to be clear and very flexible.

"Because any plans you have may go in a different direction, and you might have to go with that.

"We do have a plan, but we also have to be aware that things can change, and we have to be ready to adapt to that."

Jason Kerr, Will Aimson, Steven Sessegnon, Tyrese Francois, Luke Robinson and Jack Hunt have departed, along with back-up goalkeepers Toby Savin and Matty Corran.

Loan contingent Owen Moxon (Stockport County), Ryan Trevitt (Brentford), Caylan Vickers (Brighton & Hove Albion), Raphael Borges Rodrigues (Coventry City), Callum Wright (Plymouth Argyle) and Joe Taylor (Huddersfield Town) have also cleared out their lockers.

Nine players - Matt Smith, Jensen Weir, Callum McManaman, Harrison Bettoni, Llyton Chapman, Leo Graham, Chris Sze, Adam Moseley and Joe Adams - are out of contract and are mulling over new deals.

Contracted quintet Joseph Hungbo, Baba Adeeko, Jonny Smith, Ronan Darcy, Maleace Asamoah Jnr have also been made available for transfer.