CHARLIE Barnett says he is still weighing up whether to accept Accrington Stanley’s offer of a new contract – but assistant boss Leam Richardson has warned that the club will not wait forever for decisions from players.

Barnett, Bryan Hughes and Kevin McIntyre are among those whose futures have not yet been confirmed as the Reds look to formulate a squad for next season.

Stanley want to keep all three players but are yet to finalise new deals with the trio, who are out of contract this summer, and Barnett says he is still to make a final decision.

“I have been offered a deal for next year and that’s still ongoing,” said the 23-year-old former Tranmere midfielder.

“I’m still having chats with Leam (Richardson) and the gaffer (Paul Cook) and that’s all I can really say at the moment.

“I’m going to have a break now, weigh a few things up and make a decision from there.”

Richardson, though, has stressed that players risk missing out on deals if they take too long to make a decision.

“They know their offer,” Richardson said. “They will obviously go and try to think about it or get something better, and we’ll speak to them again.

“We want an answer sooner rather than later.

“We’ll never withdraw offers, I think that would be unfair but we’ll be actively looking for other people and if we happen to sign them then the offer is not there any more.”

But Barnett admits he has enjoyed playing in a new role at Stanley, featuring behind the lone striker in recent weeks.

“The gaffer has played me a bit further forward in the last few games and I’ve managed to be at the heart of a lot of things we’ve done well, which is a massive positive for me,” said the 23-year-old “I am happy playing there so that’s a massive plus for me if I do stay.”

Stanley are set to announce a new board of directors over the next few days, brought in by new chairman Peter Marsden.

The club says the new board will put more than £150,000 into Stanley.

Chief executive Rob Heys has been promoted to managing director, while general manager Rob Houseman becomes chief operating officer.