Michael Appleton has promised he will look players in the eye and tell them straight if they are not in his plans for Oxford United next season.

Talks will begin this week with some of the 15 members of the squad whose contracts expire this summer, having been put on hold until the U’s got themselves out of relegation trouble.

The group features some of the club’s longest-serving players, including captain Jake Wright, Andy Whing and Danny Rose, along with fledgling professionals Sam Long, Aidan Hawtin and Sam Humphreys.

Some will be offered new deals – United have already hinted they have taken up the option on Long’s contract – but others will be informed this week that they are to be released at the end of the season.

Do you want alerts delivered straight to your phone via our WhatsApp service? Text NEWS or SPORT or NEWS AND SPORT, depending on which services you want, and your full name to 07767 417704. Save our number into your phone’s contacts as Oxford Mail WhatsApp and ensure you have WhatsApp installed.

Appleton said: “Even if it’s not the news they want, there will be positive conversations.

“They will be told eye-to-eye and the reasons why.”

He added: “For anyone I do need to let down between now and the end of the season I’ll do my utmost to try and get them fixed up.

“There’s a lot of clubs out there and we have some decent talent.

“I’ve always been straight with people, as harsh as it sounds sometimes.

“Even when I’ve had to let people go I’ve not hidden behind anything.

“I’ve looked them in the eye and told them ‘this isn’t going to be the place for you’ and that’s how it will always be.”

The decisions on those being released will not be made public until United publish their retained list after the end of the season.

Appleton made his mind up on the majority several weeks ago, but admitted the form of at least one player in the past month had forced him to reconsider.

While not revealing any names, it could be good news for Danny Rose, who has earned rave reviews since coming back into the side after a long spell on the bench.

The U’s boss said: “You’ve only got to look at what’s happened over the last four or five games with certain players.

“They’ve all come into the fray and had a part to play.

“Rosie is in a really good spell at the minute, Whingy played his part at Wimbledon.

“There are certain players who have made me think is there an opportunity for them to be part of what we hope will be a much more successful season.”