Will they stay or will they go?

James Wilson has an option in his contract to stay at Boundary Park next season.

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SEVEN points taken from the last four outings have eased fears of a slump into the relegation zone for Athletic.

Lee Johnson’s side needs a point from each game until the end of the season to hit the magic 50 mark, which usually ensures safety from the drop.

Nothing is assured, of course, with no point easily won in Sky Bet League One. But with 15th-placed Athletic’s position of relative comfort in mind, thoughts are inevitably beginning to turn to next season.

To that end, last week brought news of an improved contract signed by striker Jonson Clarke-Harris.

That came on the heels of a fresh, long-term deal for the manager, with the noises coming out of Boundary Park indicating there is more focus on future concerns rather than quick fixes.

The process of trying to build success in League One next season has already started and will only accelerate as Johnson’s first full campaign in charge draws to a close.

Here we take a look at the future prospects of current squad members...



Goalkeepers



Mark Oxley has improved as the season has gone on, but having signed two-year a deal at Hull last summer is it doubtful the Tigers will let go for free a player they rate highly and have been keeping close tabs on. Paul Rachubka has barely featured and Luke Simpson won’t be back, having moved to Leicester City’s academy initially on a youth loan. A ’keeper hunt on at least one front will be a major focus of the recruitment drive for 2014-15.



Defenders



Ironically, the defender who looks to be the strongest contender to be kept on is a recent arrival, James Wilson. The former Bristol City man has an option in his short-term deal to remain next season.

Moves will surely be made to try to extend Jonathan Grounds’ stay; Connor Brown is unlikely to be the most expensive player in the squad wages-wise and will probably be invited to improve further. Genseric Kusunga is a borderline case — he has plenty of talent and the physique, but injuries and mental aberrations during games are not helping his cause. Adam Lockwood is doing enough, if his form continues, to remain as a leader.

As for fringe man Glenn Belezika, he’s had only one substitute appearance all season and has been farmed out to Salisbury and Hyde. Still, as a promising and probably inexpensive option he may get an extension to his stay.



Midfielders



The mainstay is Korey Smith. The captain may have his failings, but he is the ever-present beating heart of the team and a man Johnson trusts completely. Athletic have already turned down a large bid from a Championship club for a man whose contract runs to the end of next season.

On the face of it, David Worrall is far happier at Boundary Park than he was at Rotherham. He remains contracted there, but Johnson would dearly love to strike a deal for him.

Gary Harkins is a loan player and again, his trickery and invention from wide-left is enough to suggest moves will be made to keep him.

James Wesolowski would be a big man to keep after what has undoubtedly been his best season for Athletic. Can he be enticed to stay after June? The fans will hope so.

James Dayton has another season on his deal, while David Mellor and Carl Winchester are out of contract in the summer and may have a little work to do to ensure new offers.

Anton Rodgers may struggle to see his further-year option taken up, John Paul Kissock has yet to prove he’s worth trying for permanently, and Danny Gosset’s promise might not be enough for him to remain. It is impossible to see the built-in option for a second year of Sidney Schmeltz being invoked.



Forwards



Danny Philliskirk’s existing deal runs to the end of next season and the 11-goal top scorer will hope to build on his successes.

Loan-player Jon Stead is probably out of Athletic’s price bracket, wages-wise, though local geography is in Athletic’s favour if the Huddersfield man decides his time is up at his home-town club. Athletic has an option to take Charlie MacDonald for another year and much could depend on how he fares for the rest of the season.

Jonson Clarke-Harris is already secure, and ex-Stockport tyro Rhys Turner is earmarked as one for the future.

Kirk Millar, though, hasn’t made the most of his first-team chances and is now way down the pecking order. Time could be called on the Athletic career of the club’s longest-serving player.