Tom Cruise, Ashley Yeoman and Martin Rice get new Torquay deals

Torquay United have agreed new 12-month contracts with left-back Tom Cruise, striker Ashley Yeoman and reserve goalkeeper Martin Rice.

And the club are still in negotiations with central defenders Brian Saah and Aaron Downes, although boss Alan Knill told BBC South West this week he hoped they would sign.

"It is nice to tick off three lads when it comes to new contracts," he said.

"I hope others see those sign and think it is time for them to do the same."

Cruise, 21, has been at Plainmoor since last summer after being released by Arsenal and made five of his seven starts this season after Knill replaced former boss Martin Ling.

Yeoman, also 21, made his full debut against AFC Wimbledon on New Year's Day, five years after making his first appearance for the club as a 16-year-old.

Rice, 27, is in his second spell at the club, having re-signed two years ago and finally made his Football League debut against Barnet in November, having previously been with the Gulls and Exeter in the Conference.

Knill, meanwhile, is keeping tabs on other centre-backs in case either Saah or Downes, or both, decide not to stay with the club.

''The players have until 10 June to make their decisions and let us know, so you have to be patient. Like most people, they have to keep their options open," he said.

''We obviously have to cover all bases and if it doesn't go well, we need to speak with other centre-halves, which is what we're doing."