CRAIG Easton explained his surprise after being handed the opportunity to extend his County Ground stay yesterday.

The midfielder is one of four Town players who will spend the next few weeks mulling over contract offers, with their current deals set to expire at the end of June.

Michael Timlin, young goalkeeper Mark Scott and top scorer Billy Paynter have also been offered fresh terms - although the latter looks set to reject the deal and move to Leeds on a free transfer.

But for Easton, who made just four starts and 11 substitute appearances in a frustrating campaign, it was a shock when manager Danny Wilson informed him of the decision.

“If I’m honest I’m surprised to have got an offer,” he told the Advertiser.

“It was a great season but I didn’t play as big part as I would have hoped, and didn’t think I would get anything at the end of it.

“But it is a nice surprise and it’s something I am going to have to think about over the next few weeks.”

Mark Marshall and Kurt Hammonds find themselves on their way out of the club, however, after being released.

Central midfielder Hammonds played a big part in the club’s successful FA Youth Cup runs before being promoted to the first team squad, but has spent most of the last couple of years sidelined through injury.

And wide man Marshall, signed from non-league Eastleigh in August 2008, has struggled to command a regular first team place since Wilson’s arrival in the managerial hotseat.

The club also confirmed that their five loanees - Alan Sheehan of Leeds, Frank Nouble of West Ham, Stephen Darby of Liverpool, Danny Ward of Bolton and Simon Ferry of Celtic - have all returned to their parent clubs.