ST MIRREN manager Jack Ross has revealed he has started planning for the transfer window at the Paisley 2021 Stadium but admitted players will have to leave before he can make signings.

After taking over from Alex Rae in October, January will be the first chance for Ross to bring in his own players. However with the club’s budget being spent in the summer, Ross will have to plan his new recruits carefully and players will have to depart before others can come in.

Tom Walsh and Ryan Hardie’s loan deals from Rangers finish in January, it would appear likely that those won’t be extended to give Ross at least two spaces in the squad.

However the manager insists he knew the budget restrictions when he took the job and has no complaints about working within them.

He said: “We’ll have to manoeuvre things around according to what we have currently. That is something we look at on a daily basis in terms of what else might be around and what we could maybe do.

“I knew the parameters I would have to work within before I took the job so there is no complaints from me on that side.

“It is up to me then to use my abilities the best I can to manoeuvre things around and try to improve the squad.

“There is still a bit of time between now and then where things can change in terms of what we think we’ll need and also injuries, fitness and form.”

Meanwhile youngsters Kyle McAllister and Kyle Magennis have been welcome additions to the first team in recent weeks.

The youngsters have started the last two games for the Saints and have taken their opportunity.

Bringing through youngsters from the club’s academy is a high priority for Ross, however he has warned that the other academy prospects have a way to go to prove they deserve their chance along with the two Kyles and midfielder Darren Whyte, who was close to breaking into the team before picking up an injury.

He added: “We are delighted with those two, they are in the team on merit. It was never a case of just throwing them in for the sake of it they were both deserving of their places.

“They have trained brilliantly on the back of it and seem to be starting to believe as if they should be part of the group all the time. In terms of more young players I’ve always said that I wouldn’t put young players in just for the sake of it they have to deserve the opportunity.

“Darren Whyte was someone who would have been very close as well but he unfortunately fractured his metatarsal. It’s a blow for him because he has trained a lot with us since I took over and I have been really impressed by him.

“His chance will come when he is fit again. At the moment it is a case of seeing if more of them can get to the level that the two Kyles are at because I would say they are ahead of the other young players at the moment. I want to make sure the others are ready, both for the club’s sake and the individual's sake, before putting them in.”