PAUL Sturrock has cruised back into the County Ground very hopeful' of being handed the means to chase the "prime beef'' on his summer shopping list, writes OWEN HOULIHAN.

Sturrock returned from his holiday yesterday, but admits his Town recruitment drive has been stalled as players, managers and agents head off on their own post-season breaks.

Many of the manager's possible targets are simply unwilling or unable to discuss their futures with July 1 the key date after which out-of-contract players are free.

However, Sturrock maintains the whole outlook of his squad planning could be dramatically changed by the arrival of a potential new investor at SN1.

An injection of cash could see the Town chief landing names towards the top of his wishlist and although the clock is not ticking loudly just yet, it's a situation he would like to see resolved sooner rather than later.

Sturrock said: "We are in a difficult position because we have negotiations with outside investors which would put a completely different complexion on my structure of the playing staff.

"The quicker that is done the better.

"I'm not missing out big-time at this minute but if investors come in and money is of benefit to us, it opens a different door as far as wage structure goes.

"It would definitely help.

"We have many areas I would like to strengthen.

"It means the beast' you want to sign can change.

"This would be the A and B list. There is prime beef and then the lower cuts.

"Whether that comes to fruition we'll have to see, but if they come to fruition pretty quickly then obviously the goalposts change a little bit.

"It's something I'm very, very hopeful will come to fruition in the next couple of weeks.'' Sturrock, back at Town to see The Kingswood Group launched as the club's new main sponsor yesterday, admitted he was currently spinning plates' with regard to potential new signings, although he wants the vast majority of his new squad in place by July 9.

He added: "Now is prime holiday time.

"You spin the plates, liaise with them (players) and try and keep in touch with them and hope to get positive vibes from them.

"That's all you really do at this moment in time.

"I think you will be finding I'm having the problem most managers are.

"Most managers and players and agents are on holiday.

"I've got a lot of feelers out all over the place and I'm waiting on word back from several players about their availability.

"I've got meetings over the next two or three weeks with certain players.

"There comes a stage where it gets really delightful because I get agents and players phoning me. But at this moment, the shoe is on the other foot.'' The manager also dropped a broad hint that some new arrivals would be players that had crossed his path in the past.

Craig Easton, Steve Adams, Hasney Aljofree are just three to have been mentioned in connection with a County Ground switch and Sturrock conceded: "If you look at most managers' track record they will go with tried and tested.

"I'm no different from anybody else.

"If there is somebody I don't know and somebody I do know it's quite obvious that, in any walk of life, you go with somebody who been the distance with you in the past. So that gives me options.'' The manager also has issues to deal with in his current squad next week, including the futures of son Blair, defenders Andy Nicholas, Claude Gnapka and Patrick Noubissie as well as midfielder Michael Pook.

Meanwhile, acting chief executive Martyn Starnes insists the board will back Sturrock as much as possible.

The Kingswood deal is though to be worth in the region of £100.000 but Starnes said: "The income for a football club comes from multiple sources.

"A very substantial amount of our income is made available to Paul to build a team.

"We've been having some interesting discussions with Paul about players and targets.

"It (the sponsorship money) gets added to all the other income and handed out to Paul by negotiation.''