SWINDON Town manager Richie Wellens has offered new deals to a handful of his out-of-contract players – and says the rest of them have the remainder of the season to persuade him they deserve to remain at the club.

Striker Scott Twine and goalkeeper Luke McCormick have already put to pen to paper on fresh terms to stay on at the Energy Check County Ground, but of those players to have the length of their contracts revealed, at least 10 more expire this summer.

Number one Lawrence Vigouroux has been in negotiations with the club for several months now and this week Wellens opted to open discussions with a small group of other unnamed players.

However, the Town boss says that is not the end of prospective contract renewals – and more new deals are likely to be offered should players suitably impress him over the closing weeks of the campaign.

“We have offered a couple of contracts this week and we have spoken to a few players’ agents. We are just waiting on answers back from the agents,” said Wellens.

“We have got 15 players out of contract, or something stupid like that. We can’t let 15 go and replace them.

“There are a lot out of contract so there are some we are undecided on – some that are playing for their futures in the next couple of months.

“I know their abilities, so a lot of it will depend on how they react.

“Some of them aren’t playing, so if they are good around the dressing room, good professionals and good team-mates, then they might get a contract.

“If I start seeing things I don’t like because they are not in the team or they are not sure whether they are going to get a contract, that can sway me the other way.”

Despite many players being able to freely leave the club this summer, Wellens is keen to avoid a complete overhaul of his squad.

The Town boss has been impressed by the team spirit established within the group since arriving at the club last November and is eager not to destabilise that.

“We want to go into the summer with the nucleus of a squad,” said Wellens.

“We have got a good spirit in the dressing room and a good set of lads. I want to try to keep as much of that tight-knit unity as possible because sometimes that can be difficult to replace.

“It can be worth quite a few points – that spirit and togetherness of the lads.

“We will be making changes, but if I am going to make changes, I want to get better players in than what we have already got without ruining the spirit.”