NEW Gillingham manager Neale Cooper has given his first indication he wants skipper Paul Smith to stay with the club.

Smith is one of 12 players out-of-contract and could leave on a free if the club does not offer him a new deal.

Cooper, currently on holiday in Scotland, is waiting for chairman Paul Scally, assistant manger Ronnie Jepson and the players to return from their vacations before the situation can be sorted.

He said: "I’m looking forward to meeting the skipper, Paul Smith. I’ve heard all about him from Ronnie and he’s a player I hope will stay."

Cooper added that he is prepared to play the waiting game in the transfer market.

The 41-year-old Scot has been bombarded with calls from agents hawking players around over the past week. But until the situation with the out-of-contract players is resolved, Cooper’s hands are tied.

"I think I have to play the waiting game," he said. "It’s a quiet time in football at the moment because everyone is away.

"Until we have sorted out things with our out-of-contract players I can’t look at bringing new players in."