GILLINGHAM player-manager Andy Hessenthaler has said next season will be a "big one" as the majority of his squad are playing for new contracts.

Goalkeeper Jason Brown, defenders Chris Hope, John Hills, Ian Cox, Barry Ashby and Leon Johnson, utility player Nyron Nosworthy, midfielders Paul Smith, Mark Saunders and Nicky Southall plus forwards Tommy Johnson and Mamady Sidibe will all have just one year left on their current deals.

Hessenthaler said: "We have 12 players out of contract at the end of next year, so next season is a big year because they need to perform. I'm sure they will because they all know their contracts are coming up and if they are doing well, we'll want to keep them."

Reflecting on the past 10 months and looking forward to the 2004-05 campaign, he said: "We've had a tough time this season and I'm hoping it can't get as bad next year. I don't really want to go through that again.

"But I know what kind of squad we have here, so I'm excited about next season. What we took from this season is that the youngsters came through and proved to me that they're capable.

"We're also seeing light at the end of the tunnel concerning injuries. Darius Henderson and Nyron Nosworthy are coming back from stomach injuries. David Perpetuini is also working well to come back from his cruciate ligament injury.

"Come start of pre-season, we're going to have all these players back so will have a good squad."

A trio of strikers are currently being linked to the club in the form of the experienced Norwich player-of-the-season Iwan Roberts - possibly in a dual coaching role - plus Notts County and Torquay top scorers Paul Heffernan and David Graham.

KM-fm's Ed Cook has more...