ST MIRREN manager Ian Murray has revealed that he is still hopeful of bringing in up to five players for the new season.

The Buddies boss has been impressed with what he has seen from his group of players as he gears up for his first campaign in Paisley, but is keen to add to that number.

There have been several targets identified who could help boost Saints’ promotion cause, and Murray told SportTimes he is hopeful of getting some fresh blood in over the next fortnight.

He said: “We would have thought so of doing something, like everyone else we are in the market for players.

“We want to try and get the best we can possibly get for our money. We have our eye on four or five who we think could fit the bill.

“If we can get them then great, if we can’t then we will look out and see what else there is.

“Regardless, there is no doubt we won’t start the season with the squad we’ve got at the moment, it would be impossible to do that.

“We will add – it’s just who we are not 100 per cent sure yet.”

One player who won’t be joining St Mirren’s Ladbrokes Championship push next season will be Danish defender Mads Ibenfeldt.

The former Southend centre-half had been in on trial with Murray’s men over the last two weeks and had turned out in friendlies against Ayr United and most recently Inverness at the weekend.

It was understood that a deal was set to be offered to the 30-year-old, however, the Saints manager has admitted he is not one who will be featuring in black and white.

Murray said: “Mads is now away. He played around 60 or 70 minutes on Saturday and we’ve now informed him we won’t be offering him a contract.

“He did well when he came in, but he tired a little bit towards the end of the last week or so. However, his attitude was excellent throughout.

“We just felt it was a bit early to go and sign someone we weren’t 100 per cent sure on, but we can’t complain with the way he conducted himself.”

Meanwhile, SportTimes can reveal that St Mirren were unaware of any potential move to MLS side Houston Dynamo by out-of-contract midfielder John McGinn.

It emerged over the weekend that the 20-year-old was due to fly out to the states on Sunday to hold talks with Owen Coyle’s side for a switch that would mean Saints would not be entitled to the £200,000 development fee due if he stayed in the UK.

It is understood the Paisley club have not been in touch with McGinn since the start of the summer and were unaware of any potential switch across the Atlantic.