YORK City boss Gary Mills has dismissed speculation linking Sean Newton with a move to Football League outfit Cheltenham as “nonsense”.

Reports from Gloucestershire have cited City Clubman of the Year Newton as a target for the Robins, but the 28-year-old utility man is under contract at Bootham Crescent, with Mills unaware of any approach having been made.

Newton, himself, has made it clear that he wants to help the Minstermen bounce back next season following relegation into National League North and, on the rumour-mongering, Mills insisted: “It’s absolute nonsense and I don’t know where it’s come from.

“Newts is under contract, totally committed to the football club and is enjoying his football. He also likes working under me and, maybe, he thinks I get the best out of him.

“Things happen in football and you never know, because he’s a good player and one of those who seems to have got better as the years have gone by, but I honestly believe that, unless something really special comes along, he won’t be leaving.”

Mills did confirm, though, that contracted pair Vadaine Oliver and Alex Whittle have been put on the transfer list at their own request, with the Minstermen entitled to a fee for their services from any interested party.

“Their names have been circulated to see if anybody is interested, so we’ll wait and see what happens,” the City boss pointed out. “If somebody really wants them and offers something for them, then so be it.”

A two-week deadline, meanwhile, has been set by Mills, to receive an answer from those out-of-contract players who have been offered terms to stay at Bootham Crescent, while “three or four” new faces are being lined up from outside the club.

“With a couple of players, it’s just a case of seeing whether we can get over the line with their contracts,” he revealed. “A lot of players will always see what comes along during the first week or two.

“They might get offered a couple of years somewhere else or something a couple of divisions higher and I understand they might want to see what’s out there financially, but there comes a cut-off point when you need a yes or no and I’d say about 14 days from now would be a reasonable timeline for that.

“I still want to keep the majority of the squad that were with us at the end of the season and maybe add three of four more to complement them – that’s the aim.”

Unwanted quintet Ben Barber, Ben Clappison, Kaine Felix, Jack Higgins and Josh Robinson will not be given a second chance under Mills next term, though, despite having 12 months left to run on their Minstermen deals.

All five were deemed surplus to requirement last term and loaned out, with Mills confirming: “Nothing will change for those players who were contracted to the club last season that were not a part of things. Their situations will be the same.”

Elsewhere, York City Supporters' Trust members are being urged to attend the body’s special general meeting on Monday, June 5.

The event will be held at 7.30pm in the 1922 Bar at Bootham Crescent and will include the election of nominated members on to the Trust board.

Financial and Chairman Reports will also be heard.