TOWN'S players report back for duty on Monday July 5, but anyone hoping to combine pre-season fitness preparations with contract negotiations had better think again.

Manager Andy King will not be laying out the welcome mat to anyone who remains undecided over their County Ground future by that date.

Tommy Mooney and David Duke remain the only real contract doubts and while their manager is not handing out threats, he expects a firm 'yes' or a 'no' before the hard work starts again.

'Maybes' are not an acceptable option.

Indeed, a deadline of June 24 has been set for an official response from all those out of contract.

King said: "I will not be negotiating during pre-season. I'm just not having it.

"Things have to be sorted by July 5. I am not prepared to have those sort of distractions."

While Duke has indicated that he is hopeful of signing a new deal, King is still in the dark over Mooney's plans.

The message is clear, though, with King echoing the words of chief executive Mark Devlin the offer on the table is the best we can give you.

King said: "Tommy has options. He scored 20 goals and made others aware of what he can do.

"I can't break the wage structure and nor am I prepared to.

"Although Tommy has been good for the club, there's no doubt about that, he hasn't done it all on his own.

"Supporters have their favourites but I have to look all the players in the eye.

"I can't cut player after player and then give someone else what they want.

"As a manager I need everyone.

"I'm only as good as any one of them and I'm only as good as the 11 out on the pitch.

"At certain times during the next year I'm going to need every one of them.

"It will bring resentment if I'm telling them all I've got no money and then all of a sudden I find money for one of them.

"Tommy has been made a good offer. I'd like to see him him back here, but if he has better alternatives then that's going to be the stumbling block.

"There is no room for negotiation in terms of finances. It's not a threat, it's a fact."

King has not completely given up hope on retaining Mooney's services, but if the answer is 'no' he won't be left in a striker-free panic zone.

He said: "It's still an 'if' but if you lose a 20-goal striker and the sort of player that had the impact on the crowd that Tommy did last season, it is a loss.

"If Tommy chooses to go I have a basis to work on.

"I won't be like having to go blind into the market as I was forced to do when Danny Invincible left us."

As for the money issue as a whole, King is at pains to stress reality to all those mulling over new deals.

He said: "We didn't go up a division last year.

"We received our bonuses for what we did achieve, but the fact is we are still in this league, not the one we hoped to be in. Offers, fair offers, are based on where we remain."