The Sky Blues boss wants a senior squad of 22 outfield players and currently only has 12 ahead of the club’s first pre-season friendly at Nuneaton Town on Saturday.
The squad will be supplemented by development players throughout the warm-up fixtures, including the likes of centre-half Cian Harries, striker George Thomas, midfielders Ben Stevenson and Ivor Lawton, versatile twins Dion and Devon Kelly-Evans and forwards Kyle Spence and Bilal Sayoud, some of whom may well step up to be included in his final 22 if they impress.
But Mowbray, who is working hard to convince his targets to join City, clearly needs more men in the building.
“It’s a bit of a grey area but I’m looking for a squad of 22, maybe 24 if you include the goalies,” said the 52-year-old, who has gaping holes in the centre of defence.
“How many more do I need? I’m filling some key holes at the moment and not really looking at the numbers.
“I look at my board and I think I definitely need someone in that position, definitely need two in that position and another one there.
“I need those senior players, more what I call front line footballers who I expect to play a part in the team immediately, maybe five, six, seven, so we’re still building it.”
