The Volts get their campaign under way on Sunday with a home match against Canterbury at the University of Otago Oval.
Two English players have been lined up for the season but there have been issues getting the visas through, Otago Cricket Association performance and talent manager Simon Forde said.
''We are expecting to hear very, very soon,'' he said.
''But it is likely, if we do manage to get visas and get them in the country, that they will not be here in time for the first game, at least.
''We will have to make a call within the next 24 hours whether it is worth us investing or not,'' Forde added.
With spinner Mark Craig sidelined with a back complaint and Michael Rae still resting a crook shoulder, the Volts could do with a all-rounder who can make an impact with the ball.
The other spot is likely to go to a wicketkeeper-batsman.
But if the visas cannot be sorted, or they are going to miss too many games, then Otago will have to draw from its current stock and there are some good options.
Indian-born Harsh Visavadiya scored a double hundred for Southland in a Hawke Cup game at the weekend.
He is a very handy legspinner as well, so he is probably at the top of the list.
Former Australian under-19 captain Tom Beaton played two twenty20 games for Otago two years ago and has been scoring plenty of runs for Green Island. He would add power to the middle order.
The other option is South African-born right-armer Travis Muller. He is the leading wicket-taker in the Declaration Cup and has a impressive first-class record.
The trio are going through the process of qualifying to play for Otago as locals but would be considered overseas players in the Super Smash.
Each side can field a maximum of two overseas players and two qualifying players, but only three in total.
Otago will prepare for the Super Smash with a couple of intra-squad games in Queenstown tomorrow.
The Volts will travel through to Central Otago today and spend the night in Alexandra, before heading to the resort town early tomorrow morning.
Forde said the team needed ''a fresh surface to train on'' and could not find appropriate ''conditions any closer to home''.
The Volts will be looking forward to getting back into coloured clothing.
They have struggled in the first-class competition but defied expectations to make the final of the Ford Trophy.
-In the under-19 tournament in Lincoln, Otago dismissed Auckland for a modest 139 but was bowled out for 84.
