Cobblers in 'open negotiation' with Oliver over new contract

Cobblers remain in 'open negotiation' with Vadaine Oliver over a new contract, according to manager Keith Curle.

The striker was offered a new deal along with Sam Hoskins and Michael Harriman following Town's 4-0 play-off final victory over Exeter City last month.

Hoskins and Harriman have since signed on but Oliver remains in talks with the club, and Curle admits there has been interest from elsewhere.

"We made Vadaine a formal offer," said the Town boss. "I spoke to Vadaine and I spoke to his agent and now it's just open negotiation at the minute.

"As you can imagine, Vadaine has had interest from other clubs and it's a case of making sure that the deal is right for himself but also right for the club as well.

"If the two can come together, hopefully we get an agreement."

Curle has had little time to rest following his side's Wembley win as he gets on with the job of building a squad for League One.

"I afforded myself up to the weekend after the play-off final for a bit of downtime but then it's been about cracking on with recruitment," he added.

"Obviously I had the meeting with the players notifying them about their contractual status at the club after the final, which is not a nice part of the job but it's something that has to get done.

"Since then, it's been formulating our targets with the head of recruitment, Simon Tracey, and Colin West, and putting together a structure of how we want to construct the team ahead of next season."