Oldham Athletic boss Micky Mellon has taken further steps to try to build the team he wants for next season by advising a number of under contract players to look for other clubs, including captain Liam Hogan.

The Oldham Times understands that some players who are heading into the final year of their contract at Boundary Park have been encouraged to find other clubs. Among them are goalkeeper Magnus Norman, midfielders Nathan Sheron and Mark Shelton and forward Alex Reid.

Defender Hogan is also believed to have had similar conversation, and also been advised that if he remains at Boundary Park he will no longer continue with the captaincy.

Shelton and Reid have not figured in Mellon's plans for some time, but Sheron has been involved in the majority of games since being signed by former boss John Sheridan in the summer of 2022. Indeed, in his first season after signing from Harrogate Sheron missed only one league game and was an ever-present for the other 45.

The 26-year-old, who has doubled his goals tally from last season with six, added a further 44 appearances this term, but towards the end of the campaign six of those came from the bench.

Norman has only made three appearances this season but earned a call-up to the England C squad on the back of some impressive performances last term, only to miss out on a cap through injury.

An early season injury meant he lost his place to Mat Hudson, who kept the gloves for the remainder of the campaign.

Latics yesterday released a list of players who are out of contract this summer, with no further detail outlining whether any offers had been made to those whose current deals expire at the end of June.

The Oldham Times understands that while no offers are on the table, the door has not been entirely closed on Mike Fondop, Dan Gardner, Devarn Green and Harrison McGahey, but they would be free to move in the meantime.