AFC Telford United today confirmed they have opened talks with nine current players as manager Rob Smith looks to shape a squad for next season’s assault on the league.

Savvy boss Smith has remained tight-lipped about the identity of the players in case other clubs are alerted, but said all were key members of the squad.

And the manager will be crossing his fingers in the hope the players stay after admitting all have been made “reduced” offers because of the economic slump.

If all nine decide to remain at the New Bucks Head, Smith will have a total of 14 players signed up for the 2009/10 campaign with five other players already agreeing to stay next season.

“We met with nine players from the current playing squad and all have been made offers, albeit reduced offers because of the financial climate,” said Smith.

“The ball is now in their court if they want to take the offers and I hope they all do because it was a very positive meeting.

“The offers are for a mixture of contract and non-contract deals but if they all accept it brings us to 14 players signed up for next season.

“The finances make the situation difficult but we hope we will all get to stick together.”

Players will have a week to consider the club’s offers.

Last week the club closed deals to take up an option to re-sign out-of-contract stars right-back Lee Vaughan and striker Andy Brown for an extra year.

They join goalkeeper Ryan Young, midfielder Liam Blakeman and defender Stuart Whitehead in the squad for next season after all three singed two-year deals last summer.

Chairman Lee Carter echoed his manager’s optimism and said: “I’m hoping that all nine players will re-sign because they are the nucleus of this team.

“The automatic assumption for most footballers is that their money goes up every year but the majority of the lads we spoke to last night understand the current financial situation.

“But the players appreciate the club so I hope they all stay,” he added.

By TOM JOHANNSEN