Manager Paul Cook has admitted that he doesn't know if midfielder Chris Turner will be a Sligo Rovers player at the start of the new season. While Turner signed a contract to return to the Showgrounds for the second time in his career in November, there has been speculation linking him with at least one other club.

The Northern Ireland under-21 international who was at Dundalk last term is pre-season training with Rovers at present, but Cook has said that the stories surrounding his future are "perhaps not without foundation." " We are not trying to fool people because the speculation is out there. At the end of the day we just don't know what is going to happen, but as far as we are concerned he is now a Sligo Rovers player and is training with us," Cook added.

Turner held discussions regarding his contract and registration in Sligo last week. Meanwhile, Skelmersdale United striker John Cass continues to train at the Showgrounds with a view to signing for the new campaign.

Twenty-two years old Cass, who also spent some time with Burscough United in the Unibond Premier League, had been banned for five-and-a-half years arising out of an incident in a Sunday league match but after serving sixteen months was granted permission to play again at the start of 2010 following an appeal.

He returned to the Unibond League First Division North side in January but subsequently came to Sligo to join Cook's new-look squad for pre-season training.

"John is obviously short of fitness and has not played for a bit. We are having a look at him. He comes with a reputation of a player with good quality," Cook commented. Rovers confirmed that midfielders Dean Marshall and Darren Meenan have had their contracts extended. The first pre-season friendly ahead of the 2010 season takes place against Bray Wanderers in the Carlisle Grounds on Saturday, February 6th.

Rovers travel to Athlone on February 13th and Cook says he hopes to have at least one other friendly before the rescheduled Setanta Cup tie against Cork City at Turner's Cross on February 22nd.

Irish League side Cliftonville are the visitors to the Showgrounds on February 27th.