As Torquay United head into the new year, head coach Gary Owers is looking towards working with a more streamlined squad as he battles to keep the Gulls in the National League.
However, Owers also has to perform a balancing act between maintaining a settled side that move United away from the relegation zone and potentially seeing several of his loan signings and players on short term deals leave Plainmoor.
Owers inherited a squad of 27 players upon his arrival as Gulls manager in September - many of whom were signed to combat the club's injury crisis before his appointment and he has also stated that had he taken over at the start of the campaign we would have wanted a smaller squad.
"If I was coming in on day one I'd go with a squad of 18 outfield players and two goalkeepers and try to spend more money on less players," said Owers.
"When I arrived I had a squad of 27, so that's what I've been dealt with and that's what I'm trying to sort out now.
"I am really looking at it at the minute and thinking about how we move forward.
As well as having seven players currently on loan, Owers also had four players out on loan as well as one player on non-contract forms and two on short term deals. In addition to this he also has 11 contracted players at the club.
The Gulls are currently able to add a maximum of another six short-term deals and three long-term loans before the end of the season, and Owers has also stated that he is within the parameters of his budget.
Such has been the turnover of playing staff this season, 32 individuals have donned the yellow shirt in the 2017-18 campaign with Sean McGinty and Luke Young the only ever presents in the Gulls squad.
In the meantime, the three points on offer in United's clash against Aldershot Town tomorrow remains the most important priority on the horizon for Owers and his assistant Martin Kuhl.
On loan at Plainmoor: Rhys Murphy & Callum Evans (both Forest Green Rovers), Josh McQuoid (Luton Town), Jazzi Barnum-Bobb (Newport County), Michee Efete (Norwich City), George Dowling (Bristol City), Alex Davey (Cheltenham Town).
Out on loan: Neal Osborn (Barnstaple Town), Myles Anderson (Chester FC), Sam Chaney (Whitehawk), Yan Klukowski (Kidderminster Harriers).
Non-contract players: Jennison Myrie-Williams
Short-term permanent deals due to expire in January 2018: Vincent Dorel, Guy Gnabouyou
