No deal for Kelbie as clearout begins

The Showgrounds boss told Times Sport he won't be offering a new contract to star striker Kevin Kelbie, whose present deal expires this summer.

Walker is preparing for a summer of mass rebuilding against a backdrop of significant cuts in United's budget and is prepared to go without the services of the Scot, who has been the Sky Blues' top scorer in four of his five seasons at the club.

"I won't be making an offer to Kevin because having spoken to him, I felt his heart lay elsewhere. I don't want Ballymena to play second fiddle.

"I also don't feel it is in the best interests of our club to be flying players in. A club of our standing at the moment needs to work with its players two or three nights a week and try to develop them.

"We have a plan in place. We need to coach better, coach more and work harder on team shape and you can't do that when players are not there."

That same criteria will also spell the end of Scottish winger Gary Muir's time at the club after an unsuccessful stint since signing in February.

Striker Nathan McConnell and midfielders David Cushley and Noel Anderson have also been told there will be no new contracts for them.

Joe McDonnell and Mark Picking – who United have been paying a chunk of their wages while out on loan at Lisburn Distillery and Ards – will also be released at the end of their deals as United trim any excess off the wage bill.

Walker will continue talks this week with a number of his existing players that he wants to keep, although again, that will be dependent upon the players accepting reduced terms.

"I would probably anticipate something like eight out, five in over the summer and we will also be looking at the emergence of the younger players coming through.

"I have made Albert Watson an offer which he doesn't believe he will accept but there will be no change in our offer.

"I have made Aidan Watson a revised offer, and I hope that will be concluded this week. We have given Aidan time to adjust his thinking to the figures going south rather than north and it's probably a 50/50 call at this stage.

"I have to speak to Chris Ramsey at length. His desire is to play across the water but we have to see what happens there.

"It's touch and go with Darren Lockhart and again we'll have to see and I will also speak again to Dwayne Nelson.

"Aaron Stewart has still to sign but the indications look good there," added Walker, who is likely to rekindle his interest in striker Richard Gibson, who is leaving Coleraine, while the manager has also earmarked central midfield as a priority area for strengthening.