SQUAD BUILDING CONTINUES

Coach Jim McInally is hopeful he can persuade most of those offered new contracts to stay for another season, despite asking players to take a wage cut.

So far six players from last season's squad have already put pen to paper on new deals that will keep them at the club until May 2010.

The coach has been given verbal confirmation from at last four more that they are minded to sign, but no paperwork has been completed yet.

Talks are ongoing with the remainder who were given the option of staying for another season.

"My aim is to keep the majority of last season's squad together and maybe add three or four new faces," he said.

"Last season we cleared the decks and I  think that is part of the reason we started the season so badly.

"If we get a bit of continuity then we could get off to a better start and that could make all the difference," he said.

The coach has also admitted the positive response from the majority of those offered new termswas better than he hoped.

"I thouight when we were asking players to take a cut in wages it might be difficult and that some would choose their luck elsewhere.

"But, the response has been great and it shows that they have enjoyed hteir time at the club and want to stay for the right reasons. Things have worked out well so far, and that's good."