TERRY Gornell and Joe Jacobson could celebrate promotion on their return to Accrington Stanley tomorrow, but Paul Cook is more concerned about assembling a squad for next year than those who departed some time ago.

Stanley host Shrewsbury with the visitors knowing victory could be enough to confirm their ascent into League One if Crawley or Torquay lose.

For Gornell and Jacobson, it would be a dream return to the Crown Ground 11 months after their last appearance at the ground, when they were part of the Stanley team denied promotion in the play-offs.

A bumper crowd is expected, with the Shrews due to bring a large following, but for Cook his thoughts are on Stanley rather than the visitors.

“We don’t really get involved in what other teams are doing,” said Cook, who played under Shrewsbury boss Graham Turner during his time at Wolves. “Whether it’s on Saturday or not, I certainly think they will be promoted.

“Once they have been promoted we’ll wish them the best of luck, but on Saturday we’ll be looking to do nobody any favours.”

With the Reds set for a mid-table finish, Cook used last weekend’s match at Cheltenham to assess fringe players.

He is now in talks with members of his current squad about their futures and wants to bring those negotiations to a swift conclusion if possible.

“If they want to sign, the lads we’ve identified as wanting to be here, as long as the package is right for the players and the club, why not?” he said.

“We’ve been speaking to one or two lads and we have been speaking to them for about a week or so now.

“It’s important for players to go into the summer knowing their future.”

Cook is currently reluctant to publicly name those he wants to keep as he bids to manage the situation sensitively, also giving the squad time off this week.

“If you’re coming in Monday to Friday, lads can take their conversations over contracts into training and sometimes it can have a negative effect on your group,” he said.

“So at this stage of the season where training isn’t as important as the games, keeping the lads away from each other sometimes is a good thing.

“If you’re a lad who it looks good for your future, and you’re coming in with a car with a lad who isn’t not looking so good for his future, there can be a conflict of interests there.”

Bobby Grant returned to Scunthorpe this week at the end of his month’s loan and Cook has conceded that finances mean there is ‘no chance’ of being able to bring Grant back to the club in the summer.

“Not only is he a lovely lad but he’s a fantastic footballer and we wish him the best of luck,” the Reds boss said.