Oxford United manager Ian Atkins is keeping his fingers crossed that he is not left with a massive rebuilding job this summer.
Ian AtkinsMany of his out-of-contract players have been told they will be offered new deals on reduced terms and if they all reject them, Atkins will be left having to bring in seven or eight new players.
Chairman Firoz Kassam says he needs to reduce the club's wage bill by around £300,000 to comply with the Football League's recommendation that third division clubs spend no more than 60 per cent of theirturnover on player salaries.
Steve Basham, Bobby Ford, Andy Scott and Dave Savage have gone away to think over their futures, as has ex-Wycombe centre back Paul McCarthy, who has been told that the U's want to keep him.
Out-of-favour Ian McCaldon and Paul Powell were released, as expected.
David Oldfield and Roy Hunter have not yet been spoken to by Kassam, who held a series of talks with players on Friday.
Atkins said he was hoping that many of those that will be offered reduced-terms deals will stay.
Read more on the U's on This is United
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