Paul Hartley is concerned some players may drift out of Scottish football as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Clubs across the country are feeling the financial impact of the pandemic and the subsequent shutdown.
Some in the lower leagues have already released most of their squads because they don’t know when next season will start.
Even in the Premiership – where it is hoped next term can begin on August 1 – teams have let a number of players go as they try to make savings.
At Cove Rangers, last season’s League Two title-winning squad are tied down on contracts.
But Balmoral Stadium boss Hartley has sympathy for the players who could be without clubs for some months.
The former Falkirk, Dundee and Alloa manager said: “It’s difficult for everyone just now. I feel for players and for clubs – the clubs don’t know what position they will be in financially.
“A lot of players have lost their jobs just now and will they be able to get back into the game?
“Even with kids in the academies, when will they start playing again because they’ve been off for a long time.
“Will they get back playing this year?
“Or will they drift out of the game? I do think there will be hundreds of players available.
“On the other hand there might be a better opportunity for younger players who are in at clubs full-time at 17 or 18.
“They might get more of a chance, so that might be an advantage.
“But I do think there will be a lot of players lost to the game because squads will be trimmed down and I do understand why.”
Hartley would also like to add a couple of new signings to the Cove ranks.
But he says it is difficult to do business until they have a clearer idea of when next season will be starting.
Hartley added: “I don’t think it will be at this moment in time, but I think we might be able to add to the squad down the line.
“There are a lot of players available and we’ve been offered a few already.
“There are going to be a lot of players available and I feel for players at this moment in time because there are lads who haven’t got contracts.
“We will try to add to the squad, but when will that be? Who knows. We’ll need to have a clearer picture of when we might be back playing.”