MARK Hughes will not hang around in deciding who he wants to try to keep from the present City squad.

Twelve of the current dressing room are out of contract in the summer – as well as loan recruits Jamie Walker, Nathan Delfouneso and Tom Elliott.

Paudie O’Connor, Callum Cooke, Charles Vernam, Elliot Watt and Levi Sutton are among those whose deals are up at the end of the season.

With 10 games remaining, Hughes is still pondering over which out-of-contract players he will be offering new terms.

But he does not intend to wait until the last minute before delivering his verdict.

There have already been reports on clubs watching skipper O'Connor, with Sheffield Wednesday thought to be one of those interested.

Hughes said: “Those conversations need to start sooner rather than later because a lot of the guys get a little bit on anxiety when they are out of contract.

“They want to get settled and know where they are going.

“I’m aware of that, it’s not something that I’m blind to.

“Ideally from my point of view, we can get good quality and good numbers tied down quickly and then maybe as the summer progresses, add further when we understand what’s likely to be available.

“With guys that we think are going to be part of what we are doing and are in the building already, clearly you want them to be retained if they can.”

Walker has already indicated that he would be open to any interest in making his stay permanent.

The Hearts attacker may have been deliberately diplomatic when the question was put to him yesterday but he is likely to be someone in the manager’s thoughts.

Hughes added: “Sometimes when you see good quality players, they pass it differently – the passes are cleaner with more pace and more appreciation.

“We want players who are comfortable and calm in possession and able to get the ball down quickly.

“We want to give these guys game time because they have the quality that we need.”