STRATHSPEY Thistle manager Brian Ritchie is hoping to add fresh faces to his squad this week.

The Jags boss revealed he has shaken hands in principle with numerous players ahead of them signing on the dotted line.

Naturally he is keeping his cards close to his chest until the deals are done.

Ritchie has already brought in Clachnacuddin goalkeeper Robbie Donaldson, who spent the latter months of last season on loan at Fort William.

He is understood to be in advanced negotiations with five players but still awaiting completion of the signings.

Ritchie said: "We are in talks with players and could maybe bring in five later this week.

"However, we still need to sign the paperwork so I don’t want to announce anything until that is done.

"If any of them were going to have a change of heart, then that would be us left with egg on our face. "

His intention is to bring more strength in depth to his squad.

Ritchie said: "Throughout the season myself, Brian and Mike Hendry have been watching games and looking at positions we’d like to strengthen.

"I’m hoping to have eight new faces in, and that should hopefully make a difference to the football we want to play.

"We are bringing in players through the spine of the team – we are targetting a centre-half, a right-back, two central midfielders and a centre forward."

Ritchie is being forced to deal with the departure of defender Fraser Munro.

But he also revealed that David Ross and Adam MacLeod are in two minds over their future ahead of the new season.

The Jags boss remarked: "Fraser is very hard to replace, near impossible in fact.

"As well as that David is thinking of hanging up his boots but he hasn’t put a stamp on it yet.

"Adam is still swithering over whether he’ll stay, but if I don’t hear back from him by Thursday then I’ll be making the decision."