Flynn 'ready' to start player contract renewals

Michael Flynn is in his first season as Cheltenham Town boss after being appointed in May

Cheltenham Town manager Michael Flynn has said he is "ready" for the club to start contract negotiations for players.

According to Transfermarkt, Cheltenham have only two known players in their 24-man squad contracted beyond 2025 with six of those set to return to parent clubs from loan spells.

"We've approached the subject but I'll have to sit down with (director of football) Gary (Johnson) and the board and see where we're at next season but that's not led by me, that's led by them," Flynn told BBC Radio Gloucestershire on Monday.

"I'm ready to start negotiations. There's some that have started and then there's others - first and foremost I always say 'Let's get to 50 points first' and then we know we're at least in League Two and could be challenging to go into League One."

Flynn was speaking at a press conference before Cheltenham host Walsall on Tuesday night.

The visitors - one of Flynn's former clubs - will arrive at the EV Charger Points stadium with the Welshman having just come off a 3-0 win at Newport County, where he was manager for four years.

The 44-year-old was sacked by Walsall in April 2023 after spending just over a year in the West Midlands but praised the league leaders' progression since his departure.

"I've got a lot of respect for Walsall as a football club. I always follow them, the supporters were really good with me," said Flynn.

"Leigh Pomlett, Benjamin Boycott and Mat Sadler are doing a very good job there with the recruitment, stabilising and looking towards the future of the football club.

"I gave my all, it didn't turn out good enough in the end for myself but we did have some really good times as well so it wasn't all failure and just because it doesn't work out at one place doesn't mean there has to be animosity or anything.

"There's a lot of good things happening at Walsall and I was honoured to be a manager there."

Cheltenham currently sit 11th in the League Two table on 44 points after 31 games.