THERE may be no ‘imminent danger’ of Swindon Town duo Yaser Kasim and Nicky Ajose leaving the County Ground but head coach Luke Williams is still preparing for life without them.

The duo have been widely linked with moves away from the County Ground, with Kasim entering his last year of his contract and Ajose coming off the back of a season where he netted 25 goals in all competitions.

Iraqi international Kasim has been the subject of much transfer talk in the last two windows, with links to West Ham, Swansea and Qatari side El Jaish, but has remained at the club, with chairman Lee Power activating a year extension in the 25-year-old’s contract.

While a departure is not forthcoming, Williams is looking at the transfer window in the knowledge that he may be without those two influential figures at his disposal.

“I think we are still in that position where we are prepared that we might lose these players (Kasim and Ajose),” he told BBC Wiltshire.

“As of right now there is not imminent danger of them leaving, so that is good for us.

“Hopefully, if the boys don’t move on to a different club, then they are happy to come back to the County Ground and put in good performances for us.

“The phone has been ringing a fair bit and there are plenty of players to try and look at and plenty of discussions about logistics for next season.

“There have been some sit-down conversations with the staff about how we would like to try and change and tweak things slightly for next season.”

Whilst Kasim was one of seven players to have their contracts extended at the County Ground last month, seven players were also released.

That was a joint decision by Williams and Power and while admitting that it is difficult to let the likes of Fabien Robert and Lee Marshall go, it was the right thing to do for all parties.

“It was a combined effort really,” he added.

“Although I am always sad when I see players leave and you have built up a relationship with them and you want the best for them.

“Ultimately, if the club and the player are not a good fit at any particular time, then you have to make these decisions.”