With the unbelievable amount of injuries we have seen this season and the deflation of the subsequent drop in form we are in a position where we are simply seeing out the last couple of games with little to play for (although a top 10 finish remains a realistic target). So my thoughts are already beginning to turn to next season and the soon to arrive wave of lazy journalism that will see us linked with every player under the sun. Bruce and Quinn have already suggested we will see up to 8 new faces coming into the squad. The question is, who will they be.

Our squad has been proven to be thin this season (although the sheer number of long term injuries could not have been anticipated), however the emergance of Colback, Mignolet and Henderson as genuine Premiership players has been one bright spot during the dark winter months.

So who can we expect to see signed up in the summer? I imagine we will see 1 GK, 2/3 strikers, 2/3 Defenders and maybe another midfielder.

Realistic targets in my opinion would be (baring in mind relegation and probable availability):

Matthew Upson, Carlton Cole, Thomas Hitzelsperger, Chris Kirkland, Charles N'Zogbia, Victor Moses, Hugo Rodallega, David Vaughan, Wayne Hennessey, Kevin Doyle, David Bentley, Jamie O'Hara, Roman Pavlyuchenko, Alan Hutton, Shay Given, Wayne Bridge,Nedum Onuoha, Shaun Wright Philips, Adam Johnson, Jo, Wes Brown, Michael Owen, Darren Gibson,

That is my starter for ten, some I'd see as squad additions, others as first team regulars. Thoughts and suggestions welcome?