Sturrock says Argyle cannot afford the wages some of his targets demand

Plymouth Argyle boss Paul Sturrock says high wage demands are the reason he has struggled to bring players to the club.

So far Sturrock has only captured three new faces this summer - Colchester full-back Karl Duguid, Barnet's Jason Puncheon and goalkeeper Graham Stack.

"Agents seem to have decided that there's a certain band of wages that everybody should be paid at this club," said Sturrock.

"I'm afraid to say that we just can't go down that road."

Sturrock said the Argyle board are prepared to increase the amount they pay their players, but only in exceptional cases.

"There's a certain wage that we're prepared to move on to for one or two players," he said.

We realise that there are one or two players that we are going to have to push the boat out for Argyle boss Paul Sturrock

But Sturrock says he is still hopeful of strengthening his squad in time for the first game of the new Championship season at home to Wolves on Saturday, 9 August.

"We realise that there are one or two players that we are going to have to push the boat out for as far as transfer money and wages are concerned," he said.

"We need that type of player to come and play in our first team.

"I think the board and the chairman are very appreciative about that."