SCUNTHORPE United will wait until next week before announcing their retain list.

Manager Alan Knill began meeting with every member of the Iron squad yesterday to inform them of the part they have to play, if any, in his plans for next season.

But with some players, including wantaway midfielder Josh Wright, currently on holiday, the club will wait before making public their decision on who will be offered new terms and who will be shown the door.

"Not all the players are here, some had permission to leave straight after the game on Saturday, so we have to wait for them to come back," Knill told the Telegraph.

"We've spoken to some yesterday who we've said we're not going to need, but I only think it's fair we announce the retain list when it's fully done.

"It's a difficult part of the job, letting people go.

"I've not worked with any of the players for a long time so I've had to make some pretty quick decisions.

"Unfortunately, when you go down a division, your budget is a lot less so you have to make a decision based on finance as well. Quite a few of the decisions we've made are done on that.

"It's a difficult job, but I've been doing it a long time, whether that's releasing YTs or pro's. It's part of the job.

"The only way to do it is to be absolutely honest with them and tell them why. That's what we try to do."

First-team regulars David Mirfin, Joe Murphy and Eddie Nolan are out of contract along with Wright, and fringe players including Sam Slocombe, Paris Cowan-Hall – who has spent the past six months on loan at Rushden – Jonathan Williams and Rory Coleman.

Knill yesterday reiterated his desire to move on some of the 17 players already under contract for the Iron's return to League One to provide more 'balance' to his squad.

But all will get a chance to stake a claim for a first-team place at Glanford Park, unless United receive offers from other clubs.

"I've said already that we have to do some things to change things around," added the Iron boss.

"We're coming down with a really big budget, so for me to strengthen the squad we have to do some juggling.

"But as far as I'm concerned, all the players that are in contract have a chance of playing next year.

"As of now, I'm expecting those players to be back in for pre-season.

"But through the summer, and even now, I'll put it out that we are carrying quite a few so if we can get some enquiries we'll consider them.

"We can do and say all we like, but the ball is in the players' court, because they are sat on a contract. We have to wait and see what happens.

"It's difficult when players are in contract. You can't really say, 'okay, you're not for me'.

"If I'm going to be honest, all the players since I've been here have had a real go and tried to do what we've asked them to do.

"But it's quite obvious that we can't carry the budget we've got into League One, so we have to make some changes."