PLAYER contracts are on the mind of Swindon Town manager Phil Brown, despite not knowing himself whether he’ll remain at the club next season.

Brown and his assistant Brian Horton have spent ‘unhealthy’ hours assessing the club’s options for next season with a number of contracts ending after Town’s home game against Accrington a week today.

And the manager is ready to put forward his case regarding where he thinks the club should aim on the pitch next season to the club’s owner Lee Power and chief executive Steve Anderson.

“I’m thinking about contracts non-stop.,’’ said Brown, who takes his side to Colchester today (3pm). “Brian (Horton) is spending more hours with me than his wife.

“It is of paramount importance we do hold these talks. Then when the season comes to an end and I have a meeting with the chief executive and owner I can put forward my case.

“If they don’t like what they hear then I’m not the right man for the job. If they do like what they hear then I might be the man.”

While Brown considers his outgoing options, he has also cast an eye over possible incomings and returns.

One of those is 20-year-old midfielder Tom Smith, currently on loan at Bath City, whom Brown assessed in the Romans’ penalty shootout loss at Weston-super-Mere in the Somerset Premier Cup semi-final 11 days ago.

The youngster’s performance could have helped him stake his claim for a spot in Swindon’s team next year as Brown identified a lack of midfield strength with three on-loan midfielders set to depart.

Brown said: “We have a certain shortage in midfield.

“If you’re looking at players registered at the club, three of the loan players that go back are all midfield.

“It wouldn’t be an expensive opportunity for the club to take on.

“If I can have a look at him (Smith) in the last game of the season I will do.

“But there’s a reserve game on Monday, and whoever doesn’t play on Saturday will be involved in that.”

Meanwhile Town will be without Matt Preston for today’s trip to Colchester, despite the 23-year-old returning to training this week - albeit with no physical contact.

Forward Kaiyne Woolery could appear - depending on a Friday assessment - while left-back Chris Hussey is also available amid his case with the FA following an altercation with a fan after Town’s game at Newport two weeks ago.

Brown said: “Chris (Hussey) had until 6pm last night to reply to the FA, so he’s available for selection. His response has been pulled together by the club, and we’ve supported him where we possibly can. But his response has to be in his words.”