[goldenHuddlestone]

Only one of St Mirren's remaining 8 out of contract players have so far accepted offers of new deals with the Scottish Premier League club.

Forward Alan Reid accepted a one year offer from the Paisley outfit.

But David Barron, Mark Docherty, Marc McAusland, Ryan McCay, Stephen McGinn, Billy Mehmet and John Sutton have still to give a reply to boss Gus MacPherson.

MacPherson told his club website: "I'm planning to talk with the players over the remainder of this week."

Goalkeeper Craig Hinchcliffe has already left St Mirren Park after rejecting a contract.

"Craig feels that, at his age, he wants to be playing 1st team football, that's the bottom line," said MacPherson.

Tony Bullock had been released, leaving 21 year old 1st-choice Chris Smith as the only goalkeeper on St Mirren's books.

"Chris Smith is a young keeper who is still developing, so we need someone to support him and provide him with a challenge for the position," said MacPherson.

Strikers David McKenna and Scott Gemmill were also freed at the end of the season.

Defender McAusland, midfielders Barron, McCay, Docherty and McGinn, plus strikers Mehmet and Sutton were offered contracts.

But Sutton in particular has been linked with other clubs, leaving MacPherson looking for cover up front.

"I've heard that we're being linked with Jim McIntyre and a few other Dunfermline players, but so are most other clubs in the SPL," said the manager.

"I don't feel comfortable commenting on players from other clubs, so we'll continue to be professional and any business that's happening will be kept private until there's something to announce. We have spoken to a few players, but we'll now have to wait and see what comes of it all."

MacPherson revealed that St Mirren had missed out on 3 players because they only secured safety from relegation on the 2nd last day of the season.