SAINTS manager Gordon Strachan has admitted he won't have the final say on whether more new signings would be added to his squad.

Strachan was bitterly disappointed at losing Wayne Bridge and would not have let the deal go through had Graeme Le Saux not been offered in part exchange.

He is eager to add two or three more players to his squad before the new Premiership season kicks off on August 16.

But he insisted: "If players are not available in our price range or within our wage structure then they will not be coming."

And those transfer negotiations will, as always, be carried out by chairman Rupert Lowe.

Strachan, in Sweden with his squad for a three-game pre-season trip, finally broke his silence on the Bridge-Le Saux transfer saga after remaining in the background during negotiations.

He said: "We may have lost one of the best young full backs in the country, but we have one of the most experienced around as a replacement.

"Le Saux falls into the category immediately behind Bridge and Ashley Cole, and he might even have forced his way back into the England team last season.

"There would certainly not have been a deal with Chelsea for Bridge if Le Saux had not been part of it. He might be 34, but age does not bother me. He is fit and ready, excited at joining us, and will be my first choice left-back."

Le Saux will fly out to Sweden to join his new team mates tomorrow, and will make his debut against Varnamo on Saturday.

Marian Pahars has not made the trip as he recovers from an ankle operation and, although Rory Delap and Jason Dodd are both fit again, Strachan said: "If they suffer any reaction we definitely need to bring in more bodies.

"We have extra games with the UEFA Cup, and we cannot hope to improve on our achievements if we do not add to our squad."