Alex McLeish is well aware his Aston Villa squad needs strengthening but is not about to break the budget in doing so.
Injuries to Alan Hutton and Charles N'Zogbia have added to Villa's increasing casualty list and McLeish, who had only 11 fit senior players for the weekend's trip to Arsenal, knows he needs to make some signings at season's end.
However, the Scotsman will not be spending big as the club have to be realistic on who they can and cannot afford this summer.
"It was a big ask going down to the last 11 senior players that we have and now we've lost Alan Hutton as well while Charles N'Zogbia's knee means he will be out for three to four weeks.
"Longer term we need more depth, absolutely."
He added: "There'll be a bit of prudence. We've still got to get to a level where (club owner) Randy Lerner and the club want the wages.
"We've have to get to that level and then build from there. But I believe that there are players out there who can enhance the quality of the squad.""I had six kids on the bench at Arsenal, the guys that have come through the Academy and one goalkeeper (Brad Guzan ) who is over 25," explained McLeish.
