JASON Bristow is hoping to keep the nucleus of his successful Basingstoke Town squad together – but the Dragons boss has warned that he could face a battle for his stars’ services.

It has been an excellent season for a number of Town players and Bristow is aware that some of them may be the subject of bids from other clubs.

“There will be other clubs trying to get the players’ signatures after a season like the one that we have just had,” he said.

“I’ll be looking to keep the majority of the squad together and make a couple of new additions to go with them, but it’s not a given that they will sign for us.

“The group has bonded really well and we do not want that to drift, so we want to keep the nucleus together. The players seem to be growing and if they continue to do that, we can go far.”

Two players who will definitely not be returning to The Soccer AM Stadium next year are Reading loanees Stuart Moore and Rob Dickie.

Finding a replacement for goalkeeper Moore, who won the club’s Player of the Year award, is high on Bristow’s agenda.

“We have known that Stuart’s loan was a one-season thing for the best part of a year, so we have a few irons in the fire with regard to goalkeepers,” the Town boss explained.

“It will be a hard position to fill, but we have been preparing for that all season. We hope that we can get the right person in so we don’t miss Stuart too much, but he has been fantastic.”

It promises to be a nail-biting summer for Basingstoke fans as they wait to see whether the club are able to hold on to their star players.

However, Bristow is excited about the future and believes that Town can compete for the title again next season.

He said: “I am 100 per cent excited about the future and next season. This season should give us the belief that we can compete.

“We were only four points off top at the end, so if we keep progressing then we will have every chance of competing again.

“I feel that we have been progressing over the last two or three years. We took a big step forward last year and need to keep it going.

“It will be exciting and interesting to see who we can hold on to and who we add to the squad this summer.

“The players have done exceptionally well this year, but there will be some big clubs in this league next season. Hopefully we can compete with them.”