HARRY REDKNAPP is aiming to hit the ground running as soon as the transfer window opens.

The St Mary's boss has laid bare his plans to bring in five players on loan or free transfers if he can.

But, with the predicament Saints are in, he appreciates he can't wait until the end of the transfer window to bring in his targets.

The window is open throughout the calendar month of January and Redknapp is already making calls to other managers to put his plans into action.

He said: "We've got to be ready as best we can on January 1.

"But it's not easy to get people in on loan - who's going to loan you anybody?

It's very difficult now to get good players out on loan.

"Why are teams going to loan them out to you?

At the big clubs like Chelsea where they've got loads of fantastic players, why do they need to get anybody off their wage bill? They can afford to keep anybody they want.

"It's not easy to find these players.

"But I'd rather not look abroad and would rather get people in from the Premier League if I can."

He added: "The wages are a massive problem to start with. Top players are earning different level wages and we can't deal with that.

"The only thing is that if someone really wants to get rid of a player they may help pay his wages - but that's only for people they want to get rid of.

"If you go to them cap in hand and want to take somebody then unless they want to shift them they won't pay half their wages."

Redknapp revealed how he picks his targets, adding: "You have to look round and see who might be on a free, who's not getting a game, who might be available at the end of the year and that's where you're looking really.

"I know five or six players I would take tomorrow that would make us a much better team. Whether I can get those players or not or one or two I don't know.

"They're realistic targets.

"I've spent plenty of time on the phone trying to get one or two lined up if we can."

Redknapp also admitted that he has already had calls enquiring after some of his players.

"It's not easy to shift players but there are players that would do well for other clubs," he said.

"I've had some enquiries for one or two of them and they'd all do a good job for somebody. They're good lads.

"I just feel we need to bring in some quality to go with the quality we've got here already because we have got some good players - we just need to add a few more to enable us to stay in the Premier."