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Manager Graham Alexander believes Motherwell have enough firepower despite Kevin van Veen's likely absence as they host Sligo Rovers in Europa Conference League qualifying.
Last season's top scorer is an injury doubt ahead of Thursday's second qualifying round first leg at Fir Park.
Three other forwards were released during the summer.
"Not being disrespectful, we were comfortable with certain players moving on," Alexander said.
"We felt we needed to trim the squad and redefine it a little bit. We have only brought three players in so far - Paul McGinn, Blair Spittal and Josh Morris - but these are proven performers and Blair Spittal and Josh Morris are proven attacking midfielders who can score goals."
Sligo's uncertainty is at the other end of the pitch, with goalkeeper Ed McGinty reportedly on the verge of joining Oxford United after being linked with Hearts and Dundee United this summer.
The Motherwell-born 22-year-old was Sligo's penalty shoot-out hero as they knocked out Bala Town last Thursday after the Welsh side recovered from a 2-1 home defeat to win second leg 1-0.
But McGinty was left out of John Russell's squad for Sunday's 2-0 home defeat by UCD in the League of Ireland Premier Division.
Their first league loss since Russell took charge in early June leaves Sligo fifth of the 10 teams in the top flight 23 games into their season.
Motherwell warmed up for their Conference League qualifying debut with two friendly victories - 5-1 against Austrian Second Division side Vorwarts Steyr and 1-0 over Partick Thistle.
Alexander insists his side are "physically, tactically and mentally ready" for the challenge despite Thursday being their first competitive fixture of the season.
The winner over two legs will face Sparta Prague of Czech Republic or Norway's Viking on 4 and 11 August.
Sligo Rovers' Kevin Keena scored in the first leg and in the penalty shoot-out against Bala Town
Dutch striker Van Veen and Paul McGinn, the Scotland defender signed from Hibernian, both missed Motherwell's win over Thistle on Saturday with knocks, with Alexander admitting it would be a "bonus" if either made Thursday's first leg.
While Sligo goalkeeper McGinty's participation is in doubt, former Hearts striker Aidan Keena has emerged as their main goal threat, finding the net 12 times in 22 appearances since arriving from Falkirk in January.
Motherwell manager Graham Alexander: "Sligo are a good footballing team, they can be expansive, they have the right players in the right positions to be a successful side.
"The harder they challenge for us, I think the better we perform. We are expecting a tough game, but the biggest aim is to make sure they have a tough game."
