Doubts over Sulaiman's Saints future

2:05pm Wednesday 14th May 2008

PAUL HAKIM and James Fisher are the latest players to sign contracts for Saints' assault on the Blue Square South next year but doubts have been cast over versatile midfielder Hassan Sulaiman's future.

Striker Hakim plundered some vital goals in City's great escape from relegation while Fisher, a target for several clubs, has committed his immediate future to Clarence Park after some impressive displays at right-back.

Central defender Ryan Frater is also expected to sign imminently but the same cannot be said for former Arsenal scholar Sulaiman after Saints chairman John Gibson scoffed at his wage demands.

"There are two or three players being released while one or two others are not prepared to accept the terms offered to them and one of those is Hassan Sulaiman," said Gibson. "He came to use from next to nothing so I am a bit surprised to see his demands are as high as they are. It doesn't look like he will stay."

Burly frontman Akanni-Sunday Wasiu may also line up for another club next season after Gibson claimed the Nigerian's agent had been offering him to other clubs.

"We've heard from some of our contacts in the game that Sunday's agent has been hawking him around," added the chairman. "We heard he is going to Brentford in pre-season but we've spoken to our contacts there and they have never heard of him."

"Sunday came here last season and spent eight or nine months trying to get international clearance," continued Gibson. "He knows the other players are signing on and knows that if we keep the squad together we will do well next season. We know he is a good, strong lad who brings something different but what is he going to be like over the course of a season? We don't know. There are a lot of other players around and we won't be held to ransom."

Scott Cousins, Ben Martin and Paul Bruce and James Quilter are all staying at Saints as manager Steve Castle attempts to mould his squad into one that can challenge for promotion next season.

"The main objective at the moment is to retain the players from last season," said Gibson. "By and large we are making good headway on that. Steve Castle has got a couple of other players in mind which gives us the option to take things forward."

St Albans have finalised pre-season friendlies with Watford and Spurs while talks with Barnet, Peterborough and Stevenage are ongoing.

Gibson, meanwhile, has arranged a series of meetings to strengthen the St Albans board following the departures of Leigh Page and Steve Friend due to work commitments. Improving the commercial fortunes of the club is high on Gibson's agenda.

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