ST MIRREN manager Jack Ross has revealed talks have already started with Kyle McAllister over a new contract.

McAllister's current deal runs until the summer of 2018, however the 17-year-old has secured his place in Ross' team with a string of impressive displays and the club are keen to tie him down on terms which reflect his new status as a first-team regular.

Ross says the club have held initial talks with McAllister and representatives with further discussion to take place in January.

He said: "We've already spoken to him, his representatives and his family. They are aware of our wishes for him. He just has to consider whether that is the best thing for him moving forward, but he's still contracted for a year and a half.

"But we'd like him to extend that on improved terms which reflect his performances and his importance to the team.

"It's something we identified a while ago, it's something we have been working on. From a purely selfish point of view I hope he commits for a longer period like Kyle Magennis.

"At the moment I've said to Kyle to concentrate on the games coming up and we'll discuss it again in the early part of January."

Ross hopes to have new signings confirmed for the start of January with three players likely to join the Paisley side.

However the Saints boss admits he has to find the balance between planning for the long and short term, but he believes having Rocco Quinn, John Sutton, Lewis Morgan, Stevie Mallan, Kyle Magennis and McAllister signed up beyond this summer puts Saints in a strong position.

He said: "It makes the recruitment process more straight forward. You're looking at getting in eight or nine instead of up to 18, only if you have trust in those players who are under contract and the ones we have very much fall into the category.

"The principals of building the squad stay the same, to ensure we get the right characters and abilities to get the blend right.

"It is pleasing that the young players who have done so well are under contract for next season. They could still be subject to bids but it puts us in a healthier position."