GILLINGHAM manager Neale Cooper is hoping to conclude all contract deals this week before entering the transfer market.

The Gills boss believes he has 12 definite first-teamers in his squad already, and once he knows who is going and staying he can begin to bolster the ranks.

He said: "Once the lads have been spoken about re-signing then we'll get a better picture about who we need to target.

"Myself and Ronnie (Jepson) have sat down and we've got 11 or 12 definites that will be here. We have targeted people and there have been many agents phoning me, but they need to be the right kind of player."

Cooper should have resolved the futures of Paul Smith, Barry Ashby, Ian Cox, Bertrand Bossu and Mark Saunders by the early part of this week.

But with some faces already through the exit door, Cooper has plenty of gaps to fill before the season opener at home to Colchester on August 6.

He said: "We've lost two quality players due to circumstances, and you've got to make sure you replace them as best you can.

"When you drop divisions players do go and they need to find the best deal they can. It's a players market and one or two boys have gone, which is their own choice.

"We've got to try and replace them on the right kind of money and with players that will do the right kind of job.

"There's still a good bit of quality in this side and if we can add to that then hopefully we will be up there with the best of them."

The traditional holiday period for footballers has disrupted Cooper's first month in charge at Priestfield, but he is remaining calm as he knows there are plenty of quality players without clubs.

"You've got to be patient," said Cooper. "There's no point in rushing as there are something like 600 players out there. I know you've got to get in there and get the best ones for the best deals.

"That could mean players coming in on trial so that we can see them, I quite like doing that."

Cooper has highlighted Gillingham's lack of wide players as something that needs to be strengthened, as he seeks the right men to provide the forwards with something to feed off.

He said: "With players like Darius Henderson you need to get balls into them and the perfect winger will be one that tracks back as well, they've got to help the full-backs.

"I like the 4-4-2 but it's good to be able to change it. You need players that will work hard and I'm a great believer in that."