FRESH from earning a doctorate following the award of his PhD last week, Rovers manager Les Parry has begun to assemble his squad for next season.

With six of Tranmere’s out of contract players having been offered new deals, and six released, Parry claims he will be looking to build around the spine of the team already contracted for next year.

He said: “We are looking at players with experience, in their mid 20s, and also some younger players.

“We have got quite a good spine here- Goodison and Taylor at the back, Mahon and McLaren in midfield and Tomas-Moore and Gornell up front.”

Parry also confirmed he will be sticking with the 4-3-3 system that proved successful in avoiding relegation last season.

He added: “the current players are comfortable with it and we’ll bring in players that are hungry, winners and fighters.”

One player already approached is Joss Labadie, who returned to parent club West Bromwich Albion following his impressive loan spell only to find he was being released.

A statement on WBA’s official website read: “Albion have confirmed they are not taking up the further year’s option on Joss Labadie’s contract.

“The 19-year-old midfielder has been on loan at Tranmere since March and is now free to join the Merseyside club on a permanent basis should he choose.”

Parry confirmed an offer had been made to Labadie, but said fellow loanee Andy Robinson would not be returning to Rovers.

He said: “Andy Robinson is a dish that’s too expensive for us, we’ve got to stick with the burgers and not the fillet steak.”

The Tranmere manager, who told of his reluctance to start the season with long term loan players, expressed his relief at finally being able to start approaching new players now he knows what budget he will be working with.

He added: “It is no secret the finances in this division and the division below are completely different.

“It has made it difficult as we didn’t know where we would be, but now we do, we can press on and try and sign the players that we are targeting.”