Shrewsbury boss Graham Turner today confirmed teenage wing wizard Jon Taylor has rejected Town’s initial contract offer – but further talks were planned for today.

The 18-year-old has turned down the original terms of his two-year-deal, which was offered last month.

But hopes of tying down the youngster, who burst onto the first team stage in the second half of last season, remain high with Taylor’s agent Rob Shield confirming the young Scouser is happy at the Greenhous Meadow.

Midfielder Steve Leslie was also offered a new one-year deal and, Turner said: “In the case of Jon Taylor, we have been told verbally he won’t accept it (the offer)but I have a meeting with him later today.

“Whether we conclude a deal with Jon Taylor later today remains to be seen so discussions are on-going.

“In the case of Steve Leslie, there has been no contact at all with the club so I don’t know what is happening with him.”

Meanwhile, Turner remains hopeful that the first wave of new recruits will be announced imminently.

“We are making some progress,” he added.

“ I’ve had detailed talks with a number of players this week.

“We are hopefully in a position to advance at least two before the end of the week and one or two others are in the pipeline for the following week.

“I’ve missed one or two because I wasn’t prepared to pay the sort of contracts that agents were looking for but I’m pleased with the quality of players we are talking to.”

Turner refused to be drawn on speculation over individual targets he is chasing or on whether any of his existing players had been the subject of enquiries from other clubs.

Shrewsbury, who return to training next Thursday, will play a pre-season friendly at Blue Square Bet Premier Kidderminster Harriers on Tuesday, July 26.

Town have already announced home friendlies against a Manchester United XI, a youthful Wolves team and Tranmere Rovers.

By JAMES GARRISON