Wigan Athletic boss Steve Bruce is confident chairman Dave Whelan will back him in the January market.
"That's not so easy in January because clubs are still playing in Europe and they don't want to let their best players go, so it is always a difficult time.
"That's why it's never ideal for a manager to walk through the door at the end of November as I did.
"But we will see what is around, and if we can act and it is going to improve us, then the chairman will do that.
"He is the sole reason why I've come. He paid a colossal fee for me (£3million in compensation to Birmingham), which shows his intent.
"I've no qualms he will back me over whatever I want to do, and as repayment for that, I'll do everything I possibly can to keep his team - which he adores - in the Premier League."