PLAYER retention for 2014 will be high on York City Knights’ agenda this week following the return to the country of chairman John Guildford.

Head coach Gary Thornton has already drawn a provisional list of current players who he is eager to tie down on long-term deals, and he is set to sit down with Guildford, back off a long holiday, and general manager Ian Wilson to discuss plans.

Those high up on Thornton’s “must keep” roster are likely to be full-back Tom Carr, on-field organiser-in-chief Simon Brown, hooker Jack Lee, second-row Sam Scott, and prop Matt Nicholson, who was so influential before being sidelined long-term by a shoulder operation.

It would be no surprise, however, if rival clubs are keeping tabs on them too, ready to make offers once the May 2 deadline on approaching players contracted elsewhere passes.

The Press understands Nicholson for one is already being targeted.

“We can open negotiations with our guys but we can’t speak to other players until after Thursday,” said Thornton. “I have targeted a few we need to keep.

“I need to sit down with John and Ian and look at what we’ve got, who we want to keep, who we might want to push up out of the under-20s, and look at what we’re likely to get on dual-reg from Hull, and over and above that look at players we can target.

“We can’t put offers forward until we know where we are with the budget.

“My main priority, having brought some quality players to the club, is making sure we keep them and don’t lose them and over the next month or two securing signatures of players who have done really well for us.”

Player of the Year prop Jack Aldous, captain James Ford and young hooker Kriss Brining are the only regular first-teamers who are already contracted for 2014, along with a few under-20s players.

Assuming club chiefs agree, Thornton’s targets are likely to be offered new or extended deals in the forthcoming weeks.

He added: “I’ve got a fair idea of who I want to keep and, while they might not want to commit until they see what interest is out there from others, it would be good to speak to them. We need to put a marker down really.”

Fans are again being asked to contribute to a squad builder fund, in which money is ring-fenced to pay for players. For details on how to donate or raise funds, phone 01904 767404 or visit www.yorkcityknights.co.uk Thornton added: “I think we have already made massive strides this season, in terms of our performances on the pitch. I am trying to build as good a squad of players as I possibly can, and it’s like anything in life, you get what you pay for.

“Our squad builder fund plays a vital role in helping us put a decent team on the field. I have other players in mind that will strengthen us for next season, and the squad builder fund is vital in helping me achieve this.

“Contributions, no matter how big or small, are greatly valued by myself and the club. I am a regular contributor myself, so I buy into its principle and can see its value.”