Paul Simpson is waiting to hear back from Asa Hall after offering the Birmingham City youngster a contract to stay at Shrewsbury Town.
Hall was the only player whose current deal with the club was due to expire at the end of the season to be offered terms when Simpson, looking towards Saturday’s final game of this disappointing season at Rochdale, announced his retained list earlier this week.
And the Town boss is optimistic that Hall, who expects to be formally released by the St Andrew’s club, will come on board on a full time basis after initially arriving on loan from the Premier League strugglers in January.
“I think there’s a lot of potential with Asa,” said Simpson. “He’s a good size, a good athlete and technically he’s got some ability. I think there’s a player in there who can develop with us.
“I’m just waiting for Asa to come back to us with his decision but when I spoke to him regarding a contract offer he was delighted and said that he wanted to stay.”
Young goalkeeper Jasbir Singh was the only other out-of-contract player offered a deal for next season, readily agreeing to sign a 12-month contract.
“Jas is delighted and he’s worked extremely hard,” said Simpson. “He’s a promising young keeper and he’s done enough to be offered 12 months. I think you have to have three keepers at a football club.”
Northern Ireland international defender Colin Murdock headed the list of departures along with ex-Blackburn man Luke Jones, so unlucky with injuries, and former Liverpool midfielder Jimmy Ryan who received few chances to impress at senior level.
On-loan Manchester United winger Mike Barnes, who played just twice for the club, and non-contract ex-Wolves defender Martin Riley have also moved on.
“I’ve made the decisions that I felt were right,” said Simpson. “It’s always tough to have to speak to people and tell them they’re no longer wanted and they’ve all done little bits for us.
“But I just feel we need to look around and I wish them all the best for the future.”
Simpson is now working on bringing in much-needed new blood for next season, stressing: “We need a squad of players that can compete at League Two level.”
But there’s still Saturday’s final game of the season to deal with first as Simpson prepares to return to Rochdale, the club where he launched his managerial career.
“I’ve got some good memories and some disappointing ones but it’s just another game for me,” he said. “Rochdale will be wanting to get a result to get one of the top two play-off spots, but we want to go and spoil the party if we can.”
Simpson added he felt left back Marc Tierney was a worthy winner of the club’s player of the season trophies having walked off with three awards already, including the Chronicle player of the year accolade.
“From what I’ve seen and what I’ve been told he’s been very consistent and has done very well,” he said.
Chris Smith has organised a fans’ awards night, with the players present, at the stadium for next Tuesday (7.30 for 8pm).
Tickets costing £5 adults and £3 concessions are available from him on (01952) 604742 or from the Oteley Road ticket office.