Halstead Town manager Mark Benterman is delighted that his players will be staying at Rosemary Lane next season – regardless of what division they are playing in.

The Humbugs are still in the Thurlow Nunn League division one promotion race after last weekend’s 1-0 win at Haverhill Borough and ahead of tomorrow’s home game against Stowmarket Town and Tuesday night’s derby clash at Cornard United.

But while this season’s matters are still undecided, Benterman has been heartened by his players’ commitment looking past the end of the current campaign.

“I’m pleased to say that pretty much every single one of the boys has said they want to stay for next year,” he said.

“They all agree that we have something special here so why would they move on?

“The only ones who won’t be staying are our goalkeeper [Thomas Spenser] as he’s always said he would because of the difficulties he has with travelling and Charlie Davis is heading to America next year.

“So I’ll be looking for a new full-back and a keeper, but that’s fine and it will be great not having to build a team over the summer like I have in the past.

“The boys all believe in what we’re doing and even if we don’t go up this year, they know we’ll have a chance next year.

“People want to come here and my phone hasn’t stopped ringing with people asking if they can come over, so we’re confident – wherever we finish this season.

“However, we won’t lose focus on the next four games as there are 12 points to play for.

“If we get 12 points – and maybe even ten – we know we could be going up.

“We’re five points off third place and we just have to keep hitting our target of being as professional as we can be and getting three points per game.”

Benterman admits his team will have a point to prove against Stowmarket at Rosemary Lane tomorrow (kick-off 3pm) after the Suffolk side denied the Humbugs a place in the First Division Knockout Cup final last month.

Ross Elkins is set to be the only injury doubt with an ankle problem.

Halstead know three points is a must if they want to keep the pressure on the sides above them, but the Town boss admits it is Great Yarmouth rather than an in-form Ely City who are their most likely top-three target to catch.

“It’s probably Yarmouth who we’re looking to overhaul more now,” he added.

“We are eight points away from Ely, who are looking strong, but Yarmouth are looking very edgy.

“I know the pressure they’re under and it’s hard to cross the line.

“You can get yourself in the mix, but crossing that line can be tough and you have to keep calm and not panic.

“Someone told me that you can’t panic in a situation like this and that’s exactly what we’ve been trying to do.

“If you panic as a manger, it rubs off on your players so we’ve all been keeping very calm.

“I’m not sure that’s happening at Yarmouth at the moment.

“You have to beat teams around the bottom of the table to get yourself home and them losing against Downham shows the pressure is there.

“Yarmouth were well clear of us a couple of weeks ago, but we have pulled them towards us with our recent run.

“I’m extremely proud of what the boys have achieved – no matter what happens at the end of the season – and we will keep doing all we can.”