YORK City boss Jackie McNamara is planning to build a 20-man squad for next season’s National League campaign.

The Minstermen have used 42 different players on their way to relegation from the Football League but McNamara, who is currently operating with 24 professionals, wants to place quality above quantity during 2016/17.

He also reckons the reintroduction of a reserve team for the first time since 2010 will help City’s apprentices supplement the senior ranks.

The City chief said: “I think we need a squad of about 20 players for the first team, then we’ll have the reserves, where hopefully the scholars will get experience and, if they are shaping up, they will be given an opportunity regardless of their age because it’s important we get competition from throughout the club.”

McNamara went on to reveal he is currently holding talks with Jason McGill, concerning what league the new City reserve side will play in.

The Football League’s Final Third Development League is one option with National League pair Grimsby and Gateshead having run teams in this season’s east division.

With registration deadlines to meet, McNamara added: “We are going to discuss what league the reserves will play in, but the important thing is we have decided to have one.”

The ex-Celtic captain has also confirmed that City’s six contracted players – James Berrett, Matty Dixon, Scott Flinders, Jake Hyde, Vadaine Oliver and Reece Thompson – will be subjected to a wage cut, if they remain at Bootham Crescent following relegation.

“That’s part and parcel of football and shows the importance of getting things like contracts right,” McNamara explained. “Every club would have those kinds of clauses in place.”

The former Dundee United manager would not be drawn on whether terms that he might offer to any of the club’s out-of-contract players would be made on a reduced basis or not.

“Out of respect, it would be wrong to discuss that before I’ve spoken to them first,” McNamara pointed out. “I don’t want to scare monger.”