Peterborough United manager Gary Johnson says he will do everything possible to retain the services of Craig Mackail-Smith and Aaron Mclean.

With the club having confirmed that George Boyd has turned down a new deal, Johnson is keen to retain both Mackail-Smith and Mclean.

Johnson told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire "I have already had an initial chat with Aaron.

"I think he'll enjoy working under me and I've got to convince him of that."

Boyd is set to leave London Road over the summer, having spent the final part of the season on loan at Nottingham Forest.

Sometimes it's a situation that you can't do anything about and you just have to find someone else, but Aaron is still in contract Peterborough boss Gary Johnson

Mackail-Smith and Mclean are both proven at League One level, but have struggled for goals in the Championship.

And while Mclean, 26, has been on the transfer list by request since December, Johnson has said he will be aiming to keep the former Grays man at the club.

"Aaron is a player we would like to keep as he is proven at this level," Johnson said.

"But he hasn't played for a while so he may leave his decision, about whether he is part of the future, late.

"Sometimes it's a situation that you can't do anything about and you just have to find someone else, but Aaron is still in contract."

Mackail-Smith struggled for form under previous Posh boss Jim Gannon, but has started every game for Johnson.

"He's a major part of what I want to do," Johnson said.

"We've had a decent relationship since I've been here, and he's one I'm hoping to convince that this is still the club for him and I'm the manager for him."

Johnson revealed after last week's defeat at home to Blackpool that he has 'two or three' players already lined-up to join Posh.

Current loanees Mark Little and Liam Dickinson are also players Johnson would like to keep.

"I'd like to keep them both. I think they're both decent players and I think they both responded to me as well," he said.

"With Mark Little, we're talking to Wolves, it's in the hands of Mark at the moment. He's been offered a contract here and we're just waiting for him to come back."

Defender Exodus Geohaghon has already been told he has no future at London Road, while out of contract trio Sam Gaughran, Billy Crook and Danny Blanchett are set to be released.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version