Lowestoft Town boss Ady Gallagher admits the Blues can't afford to let their first team budget decrease any further next season.

Gallagher is set for talks with chairman Gary Keyzor after this afternoon's home clash against Harrow Borough to begin planning for the 2017/18 campaign.

They will be able to reflect on a year of consolidation in the Ryman League Premier despite the financial constraints placed on Gallagher.

The Blues chief admits that money continues to be tight at Crown Meadow but hopes the first team budget can remain at its current level.

'We need to have more players in the squad,' said Gallagher, who doesn't expect wholesale changes to the squad this summer with only a few players' contracts up for renewal. 'I'm due to have discussions with the chairman – money is very tight at the club and the budget is not going to increase. But we really can't afford to let it decrease any further.'

Gallagher admitted he was embarrassed by last weekend's match against Staines when the Blues could only field a bare XI with no substitutes.

The Blues boss insists that for a club of Lowestoft's stature it can't be allowed to happen again.

'We've only had 17 players in the squad and with no youth team or academy it has left us very short this season,' he said. 'To be honest I don't know how that situation hasn't happened before Saturday.

'I called on everyone that was available to us and we were only able to field 11 players. Two of those weren't really fit either – it was a dire situation.

'To his credit the chairman took a lot of responsibility for what happened.

'I think it's only the way we have managed the players that has stopped that happening before now.'

Lowestoft should be able to fill at least some seats on their bench this afternoon although both Travis Cole and Rory McAuley are suspended.

Andrew Fisk could return after missing the 3-1 win at Leiston although Dominic Doherty has proved himself to be a more than able replacement.

Rossi Jarvis is a long term absentee along with goalkeeper Jamie Waite.