Saundo set for new deal - Cooper

"We haven't signed anybody yet but it is still early and we have to wait and look at what opportunities come up. I've had hundreds of letters and CVs and have lots of transfer targets in mind.

"It's been a shame to lose some of the squad but that happens in footbaIl and it is a player's market at the moment. We just have to get the boys together and work hard because we have a lot of quality here."

One man who has already demonstrated his commitment to the cause is midfielder Mark Saunders. He missed virtually all of last season with a badly broken leg - and he has been working like a trojan through the summer in order to be fully fit for the start of the season.

"Mark Saunders has worked extremely hard since his nightmare season with a broken leg. Hopefully we will be able to come to some sort of deal, maybe a short-term deal, to give him an opportunity to get back," Cooper told the official website.

"There has been no one who has worked harder than he has. He had a break for a couple of weeks with his family and then came straight back in for training."

Cooper: Transfer targets already in mind

That leaves captain Paul Smith, centre halves Barry Ashby and Ian Cox, and goalkeeper Bertrand Bossu, who is reportedly also talking to Darlington about a possible move. Cooper suggests all four may be offered new deals, subject to them agreeing to the club's reduced terms, taking into account the club's relegation from the Championship.

"The lads are being spoken to about re-signing. Hopefully that will be done by the end of this week - early next, and then we will have a better picture of who we can target."