Interest in Michael Smith?

It's one of the stories I've been dreading having to write in recent weeks. Today saw the first piece of transfer gossip regarding one of our players and it involves right back Michael Smith, who has impressed immensely in his second season in English football.

The former Ballymena United player, 24, has been a consistent performer this season and is selected ahead of last year's player of the season Danny Woodards in their favoured full-back spot. He is a contender for the same award himself this time around and everybody is hopeful we offer him a new contract at the end of the season when his current deal expires. I imagined that he would have a few suitors because he has established himself as very good League Two defender and with clubs beginning to eye potential signings for next season, it's inevitable out of contract players will be of interest to other clubs.

Huddersfield Town and Wolverhampton Wanderers, both currently of the Championship, are reported to hold an interest in the Northern Irishman although it has so far only been speculated in the national press. John Ward and Nick Higgs have both said that discussions regarding player retention are well underway and decisions of the futures of several first team players are close to being made. There is no doubt 'Smudger' is one that the club will want to keep and hopefully they can tie him down to a long-term contract. He's the sort of player and character that I can see playing for us when we walk out in to the UWE Stadium in a few years time. He's proud to play for Bristol Rovers and his enthusiasm is clear for all to see.

I interviewed him last month and posed a question around whether he'd be interested in staying with us if offered a new deal and he said he would 'definitely like to remain a Bristol Rovers player' as he's 'settled' living in Bristol. This was reassuring and I'm sure his decision hasn't changed since then, so the sooner we can take advantage of that and get him signed up the better.

Of course, the reported interest from the Terriers and Wolves on this occasion may just be a rumour with no substance, but there will come a time when some form of speculation is true. That's why it is massively important we get the players we want to keep signed up before the season is out. It's also vitally important we get the ball rolling in regards to John-Joe O'Toole and start negotiating a fee with his current club Colchester United. We need to steal a march on other clubs who will undoubtedly be interested in acquiring his services should he become available in the summer.

I'm sure Ward has things perfectly under control and that we'll soon begin receiving positive news.