ANDY KING has stressed that winning promotion is the most effective way for his out of contract players to secure their respective futures at the County Ground.

Earning a spot in the Championship would strengthen the manager's hand in the transfer market while the players themselves would benefit from success incentives being triggered in their contracts.

The players would earn more money while King could argue for a bigger squad to cope at the higher grade.

A win-win situation for all concerned and one not lost on the County Ground boss.

The likes of Sammy Igoe, David Duke and Rhys Evans are all out of contract in the summer and nothing is likely to be resolved until Town's fate for the campaign is known.

The manager has yet to sit down with the board and discuss his playing budget for 2005-6 but there is no doubt that promotion would leave him with a stronger bargaining hand.

King said: "I work to a budget and I don't yet know what that will be.

"The easiest way to resolve things is to win promotion.

"Players get a pay rise within contracts and I'll need a bigger squad.

"If things don't go the way we want then the board give me a figure and I'll have to work things around that."

Promotion or not though, King is urging every member of his squad to make the most of each second they are on the pitch.

Town's remaining 15 games provide all the players with the chance to impress their current manager or perhaps one elsewhere.

King said: "All I can say with any certainty at this stage is that no matter what happens here, the only way they are going to catch someone's eye or get a move elsewhere is by performing well now in a consistent manner."

Victory against Barnsley would help bring the dream a step closer.

King said: "In last year's more consistent season, for ourselves and others, we wouldn't be involved now.

"The inconsistency of the division has given us a chance. We've had some tight games with Barnsley over the years and I wouldn't expect this one to be any different.

"We need a win to keep the momentum going and I go in with confidence."