Sutton United boss Paul Doswell has warned his players they face the boot as he prepares to make wholesale changes over the summer.

After a dire season has seen United spend most of the season in the bottom half of the Conference South table, Doswell is preparing to wield the axe.

He has been scouring the Conference for the players he feels will make next season to polar opposite of this, and his shopping list is a long one as he wants to build his team around Glen Southam.

The 34-year-old, pictured, will wear the skipper’s armband again next season, but who he has around him remains to be seen.

Doswell said: “We’re looking for a goalkeeper, full-backs, a centre half, a central midfielder, a wide player and a target man – pretty much a whole team.

“We’re looking at Conference level players, because, leaving aside the bad luck and injuries we’ve had this season, this set of players have not had a good season.

“The football has been disappointing, especially in terms of the quality.

“After the Hayes defeat, a lot of the players were back under the microscope, and after last weekend, they still are.”

He added: “Glen, with Jamie Collins, will have a more hands-on role at the club next season.

“Glen will be working at the club three days a week, using the 3G pitch, and taking a training session on Mondays for players who want a warm-down or gentle work-out.”

Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Eastbourne Borough saw United slip to 16th in the table, putting Doswell’s prediction that his men – now five Conference South matches without a win – would secure a top 10 finish in some doubt.

But if United were to break in to the top half of the table over their remaining seven games the Gander Green Lane chief will put this term down as a successful campaign.

He said: “Given our budget, the fact we will be in the Conference South next season is a success story.

“Last season we finished second, and stayed in the league, this season we’ll finish mid-table, and stay in the league.”

He added: “The ultimate aim is to get Sutton into the Conference Premier, and I believe we will. Then it is all about staying there.”