In the current economic climate, the Sky Blues boss knows that accuracy with figures will be of paramount importance when it comes to transfers and wages.

"I need to find out firstly what the budget it and then which players I want to keep.

"We can't just go gung-ho and start agreeing this and agreeing that with different players.

"It's like playing darts, starting with a figure of 501 and then working my way down to see what I've got left.

"We have to pare the squad down – we can't afford to be working with big numbers of players."

Walker predicts a quiet January transfer window, not only at Ballymena but more widely in the Irish league.

"We're not in a position to do something major in January and many other clubs will be the same as ourselves – they have to move players out before they can manoeuvre.

"I don't think there will be much happening in January – I think the best time for clubs to sort things out will be in the summer when more players are coming out of contract.

"We're fortunate in that we already have a number of lynchpins like Michael Smith and Lee Colligan already under contract for next season, while the likes of Mark Surgenor and Philip Carson will have the benefit of a season at the club already behind them."

The manager said there had been "one or two muted enquiries" for forgotten midfielder Joe McDonnell.

One is believed to be from Lisburn Distillery – whose manager Tommy Wright had initially signed McDonnell from Newry on a pre-contract agreement but then left Ballymena before the player arrived – but the Whites' financial problems – they face a winding-up order over a rates bill – could scupper that plan.