Martin Allen says the rebuilding job he will be undertaking at Cheltenham Town this summer "excites him."

The Robins boss is plotting another major overhaul of his playing squad and is likely to operate with as few as 18 professionals next season.

With the club's financial position becoming increasingly bleak, Allen is unlikely to have much money with which to tempt new signings.

But the former Barnet and Brentford manager has rebuilt teams almost from scratch with limited resources in the past.

"I don't want to talk too much about the summer or my long-term plans because it would be disrespectful to the players we have got, who are hard-working and conscientious," Allen said.

"I am going to have a lot of work to do, but it doesn't faze me or worry me because I have done it before and I can do it again. I thrive on it."

I will get it right

Allen was at Port Talbot on Wednesday evening to watch Swansea City Reserves play Plymouth Argyle Reserves.

"I'm watching matches every night of the week and every afternoon because I have no scouts," he said.

"I am trying to find players and get things sorted for the future. I know everyone at the club is unhappy at the moment, but I will get it right and it excites me greatly.

"It's a real buzz and I am really looking forward to it. It needs rebuilding and I know what I am going to do. I'm negotiating with lots of players and agents."

With relegation this season almost certain, Allen said he would use the remaining matches to blood youngsters.

"Young lads will be given experience and I will give them a chance," he said. We'll have a small squad and the expenditure at the moment is massive in certain areas.

"Some of it is not right, so it has got to be cut and I will be cutting. I have to improve the quality, so I will get a small but good squad together."

Allen's side play Northampton Town at home this afternoon, looking to end a run of six straight defeats.

Cheltenham (probable): Brown; Westwood. Duff, Diallo, Ridley; Finnigan, Bird, Westlake; Watkins, Hammond, Bignall. Subs (from): Owusu, Vincent, Spencer, Puddy, Gallinagh, Hemmings