PAUL STURROCK wants to trim his Saints squad - to ensure he can give youth a chance.

With a couple of players possibly still to come in and with Sturrock already saying the current squad is two or three top heavy, it would indicate that several of last season's crop may have to go.

There is unlikely to be any sales until the start of the season approaches, but even then the burden of the squad could be lifted by loaning out some players for development rather than selling established names.

"We have a few irons in the fire as far as players to come in is concerned, so that's something we're still looking at," said Sturrock.

"I do feel we are maybe two or three players top heavy and it's something we'll have to look into because there's no point in having players here that aren't getting a game.

"It's more important for their careers to be getting a game than playing reserve team football.

"We're appreciative that we can use the transfer windows and when we get nearer we can look at it and take it from there."

He continued: "The worry I have is that the development of the youngsters could stagnate because of the size of the first-team squad, and it's something I'll be looking into.

"There are areas in the team I do feel we need different types of players, but I am conscious that younger players do need to have light at the end of the tunnel.

"This is a club that is structured to develop youth but they have to have the opportunity to come through.

"I was delighted the boy Martin Cranie got a run out last season and that Dexter Blackstock got on the bench.

"It shows we're not afraid as a club to put young players in when we know they're a decent standard."

With the players having only reported back for pre-season training yesterday, Sturrock hasn't had time to discuss his plans with them.

But he again insisted that his mind is not made up and there is still a clean slate to impress before he decides who is surplus to requirements.

"I haven't talked to any players yet," confirmed Sturrock. "I will have conversations with every player and make it clear to them what's going on then.

"There are some development players here that would be much more suited to playing 46 Nationwide games than six first-team games and 26 reserve games here, and that's the type of player I'm talking about.

"We have a lot of development players who might benefit us in the long term by playing lots of games in somebody else's team rather than hardly any in ours."

The pre-season speculation has seen Neil McCann linked with a move to Reading, Stephen Crainey reportedly attracting interest from Scotland and Jo Tessem, back in training at Staplewood yesterday, wanted by Lyn Oslo, where he has spent the last couple of months on loan.

But the only players who have left St Mary's are striker Agustin Delgado, whose contract was cancelled, and reserve team defender Mike Williamson, who has joined Wycombe on a year-long loan.

In terms of players coming in, Sturrock said: "If I don't get them it's not that I won't be able to sleep at night.

"I'm very happy with the players I have in each position, but the other players would be the icing on the cake in terms of providing a different style rather than just walking into our team.

"It's not as if I don't have it settled in my mind that we have a strong squad here - I'm just saying we want different types of players.

"This doesn't have to happen overnight - we're on the up and up here. A lot of clubs are still scrambling for players but we've got a very settled squad all ready to compete for places.

"So I think we're ahead of the game as far as that's concerned."