ST MIRREN boss Gus MacPherson will seek urgent talks with seven players whose contracts expire tomorrow - including star striker John Sutton.

Second-choice keeper Craig Hinchcliffe has already turned down new terms, and the Buddies risk losing a host of players, unless Mac can persuade them to stay in Paisley.

MacPherson said: "Alan Reid has accepted a one-year deal, but we still await replies from David Barron, Mark Docherty, Marc McAusland, Ryan McCay, Stephen McGinn, Billy Mehmet and John Sutton.

"All other players at the club are still under contract for next season.

"I'm planning to talk with the players who will be out of contract over the remainder of this week, so hopefully we'll have something to report back on tomorrow."

Sutton, 23, has been linked with a move into English football, and the loss of all seven or even most of the players due to contracts ending would leave Mac with a challenging squad-rebuilding task this summer.

St Mirren have already told veteran shot-stopper Tony Bullock he will not be offered a new deal, and MacPherson confirmed: "It is a priority to strengthen the goalkeeper position."

However, he is already considering other targets for various positions, and said: "I've heard that we are being linked with Jim McIntyre and a few other Dunfermline players - but so are most other clubs in the SPL.

"I don't feel comfortable commenting on players from other clubs, so we'll continue to be professional and any business that is happening will be kept private until there is something to announce.

"We have spoken to a few players, but we'll now have to wait and see what comes of it all."