JOHN McGINN hopes there will be a few more new faces joining the St Mirren ranks this summer - but backed his youth team Buddies to fill the void if there aren't.

Ten players have left the Paisley club since the end of last season, with so far only Ross Caldwell, Mark Ridgers, James Marwood and Ellis Plummer, on loan from Manchester City, coming in to replace them.

McGinn, last season's Player of the Year, believes that would leave Tommy Craig's squad pretty thin with the new campaign set to get underway in a couple of weeks.

But should that be the end of the transfer activity for another year, the midfielder has tipped the likes of Declan Hughes, Mo Yaqub, Adam Brown and Mark Williams to make a successful step up from the youth ranks to push for first-team contention.

McGinn told SportTimes: "The manager is working on bringing a few more bodies in and I think it is needed. The squad is looking a bit threadbare, although we can't just sign people for the sake of it.

"The manager wants people in who are the right type and hopefully he gets them. But if he doesn't make any more signings then I'm confident the youth players can step in.

"They know they'll probably get a chance the way myself, Kenny McLean, Jason Naismith and Sean Kelly have done over the past few seasons.

"If we get any injuries this season we need guys who are ready to step up and I'm sure the likes of Declan, Adam and the others will be."

One player who has elected to put down roots in Paisley is McLean. The Scotland Under-21 midfielder had been expected to move on when his contract ran out at the end of last season but, despite interest from a number of clubs, McLean instead chose to sign a new two-year deal.

McGinn and McLean forged a productive partnership in midfield last season and the former is glad to see his mate hang around for a few more years.

He added: "It's a massive bonus that Kenny has signed as personally I thought he would be away as he had such a brilliant finish to last season.

But he felt it was right to have another few years at St Mirren and hopefully he can have as good a season as last year.

"We've got a good understanding in midfield and I'm looking forward to teaming up again with him this season."

McGinn confirmed fears that captain Steven Thompson may miss the next few weeks with a groin injury, but tipped new signings Caldwell and Marwood to provide the goals in the talisman's absence.

He said: "I've been very impressed with the pair so far. Both look good and able to beat a man in a one-versus-one situation. With Thommo's injury we need other people to stand up and be counted on the goals front."

Saints opened their pre-season campaign with a 1-0 win over Albion Rovers on Tuesday night and now turn their sights on local rivals Morton at Cappielow tomorrow.

McGinn added: "We're out for revenge after they beat us last year so it's one I can't wait for. It's a derby so I play it as if it's a competitive game."