Neil Harris has admitted he expects players to leave Cardiff City next month as he ramps up his efforts to streamline his bloated squad.
The Bluebirds have close to 30 senior players on staff and Harris wants that number to be cut in January and lowered further by the summer.
It is understood we are unlikely to see a mass cull next month; however by the end of the season, the manager will have a better idea of who he wants in and who he doesn't.
One thing looks certain, though: fans will see players leave in January.
"We’ve discussed with the board that the group is too big," Harris said.
"If we are thinking about bringing players in, it has to be the right quality of player. It’s making sure we get value for money, whether that's loan players, looking at budget etc, or buying someone, it has to be 100 percent right for Cardiff City.
"I expect players to leave in January.
"And sometimes it’s just good to add a player or two to galvanise the group.
"But there is no set structure on what we are spending or doing.
"All I’ve asked is I’m allowed time to be fully respectful to the players I’ve got and judge them."
When pressed on his ideal number of players he would like in the squad, Harris was reticent to pin down an exact figure.
However, if he is to create a pathway for some of the hugely-talented youngsters making a name for themselves in the academy, he knows there simply have to be departures over the next nine months.
"The group is too big," he reiterated.
"Ideally you want to do an 11v11 with 22 players [in training], but we’ve got too many at the moment.
"You always want to include the young lads and when you can’t involve some very, very good young players then the group is too big.
"The 'ideal number' might depend on injuries come January, but it’s too big at the moment."
