ANDY KING admits he is in something of a Catch 22 situation as players become increasingly anxious to discover their County Ground fate.

But the 12 out-of-contract stars will be put fully in the picture by the time Town travel to Brighton & Hove Albion next Saturday.

The Town boss wants next season's playing budget to be rubber-stamped in the next 10 days so he can be fair to all concerned.

King said: "I am well aware that these boys want to know as soon as possible whether they will be pulling on a shirt for Swindon Town next season.

"It is not that I am putting off the issue, it is just that it is far from simple.

"We are in a difficult situation due to the uncertainty still surrounding the club.

"I need to sit down with the board, discover the exact position and see what the aims are for next year.

"Decisions will then be made, based on the financial structure of the club next season.

"There is no point letting people walk out of the door if I have no hope of replacing them with better players.

"But then there is also the problem that a player might not want to stay because the money I can offer him is not deemed acceptable.

"All I can say to the lads waiting for a decision, is that as soon as I am in a position to make decisions then I will."

Two of the players still unsure of their whereabouts next season are Adam Willis and Richard McKinney.

Willis has impressed since returning to the Town line-up but knows you can take nothing for granted in football.

He said: "The boys out of contract obviously want to know as soon as possible about the contract situation.

"All we can do is continue to give everything to act as insurance if you like.

"Even if a new deal is not forthcoming you hope you have done enough to impress another watching manager."

McKinney made his first start of the season at Stoke City on Easter Monday but he too knows that is no guarantee of a new deal.

He said: "I would love the gaffer to offer me a new deal but at the moment, it is just a question of wait and see."

But financial considerations will play an important part.

The board want the wage bill cut from its present £2.5million to £1.5 million.

Town's Nationwide League Division 2 match at Cambridge United next Tuesday will go ahead, despite the Queen Mother's funeral being held that day. The Abbey Stadium clash kicks off at 7.45pm.

The Reserves were playing Southend United today (2pm), with James Williams likely to feature.