Motherwell boss Stuart Kettlewell admits he's six players short of last season's team as he tries to bring in summer reinforcements.
Top scorer and club player of the year Kevin van Veen was sold to Groningen, but Sean Goss, Dan Casey, Dean Cornelius, Max Johnston and James Furlong have all been released under freedom of contract.
Striker Conor Wilkinson from Walsall is the only new face so far, and Kettlewell admits he needs more.
The Fir Park gaffer admits he needs to move more players out before he can bring in others.
But next season is coming fast, with their Viaplay Cup group G opener at Elgin City next weekend.
He said: "Ultimately we are six players short of our starting XI from last season, which was only a point behind Rangers if you look at the form table around the last part of the season.
"Goss, van Veen, Casey, Cornelius, Johnston and Furlong have all gone, and that is quite a substantial list.
"We are working really hard but it has been a slow burner.
"We need to move one or two out before we can get one or two in.
"We are trying to tie things up and get the timing right."
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