Pilgrims look to clear decks

Plymouth boss Paul Sturrock says he will have to let players go to balance the books with Jermaine Easter set for the exit door.

Following the arrivals of Emile Mpenza, Paul Gallagher and Nicolas Marin in the last week, Sturrock now has a squad of 30 players and admits some will have to go.

Now the window has closed players can only leave on loan and Sturrock is looking to clear the decks with the transfer-listed Easter favourite to go first.

"You can't keep signing footballers," he said. "Some people are going to have to make way. That's a normal practice at a football club, and we are no different.

"There are certain players I will have to have a conversation with and make it plain to them they are surplus to requirements. It's not a nice job but, at the end of the day, it's a job that has to be done. The books have got to be balanced.

"Like any business, I have got a certain budget and I can assure you I have jumped slightly out of budget! It's my job now to get it back in line again."