City chief Keith Alexander feels his players are being ‘tapped’ up by opposing teams in the wake of the clubs recent success on the field.
Keiths side have soared from 22nd to 6th and 7th respectively, competing in four play off semi finals and one finals match. Despite not being promoted on either occasion City have good play off pedigree now with two wins, a draw and two defeats under their belts. In addition to this they outclassed Second Division play off champions Brighton in this seasons FA Cup.
These performances have alerted many clubs who are eager to add the names of some of Citys biggest stars to their squad lists.
Simon Yeo scored numerous goals from the bench in the latter stages of last season and throughout this campaign. His lively performances and knack of scoring goals has alerted many clubs, but Keith fears that the publicity has alerted other clubs to the players abilities and fears agents could be touting for better deals.
"I have heard Notts County are interested in Simon and I know there are other clubs who are rumoured to be interested too," said Alexander.
"But Simon's situation will not force me into changing my mind when I will hold a meeting with him and his advisor at the club on Friday.
"I certainly believe Simon has been made a very good offer and I still stand by that, but I am willing to talk to him to see what the lad wants.
"If we can come to some arrangement then great, but if not I shall not lose sleep over it. One thing I won't do, and that goes for any player, is I won't be held to ransom that is for sure.”
However with Yeo amongst a handful of City players yet to sign new deals the fear is other teams will feel players are worth in excess of what Lincoln can offer. Ben Futcher has expressed a desire to ply his trade elsewhere and City fans hope that others will not follow suit.
Both Yeo and Futcher were plucked from non league obscurity by Keith. Yeo came on the back of a phenomenal scoring run with Hyde but Futcher came with little pedigree and even less visible ability. However under Keith both players have excelled, Yeo as a super secret weapon that defences are powerless to stop and Futcher as a six foot six wall in front of Alan Marriott. Both players would be a big loss to the club.
Yeo is not the only player who is deciding his future at Sincil Bank, six other players are also mulling over proposed one-year deals.
Mark Bailey, Marcus Richardson, Simon Weaver, Jamie McCombe, Kevin Ellison and Matt Bloomer are all considering their options.
"I have not heard anything from them as to whether they want to stay and sign or go elsewhere, but I don't expect to for a while anyway," said Alexander.
"Contracts do not run out until the end of the month, so they have a bit of time to thinks things through.”
Of Yeo Keith had this to say to sum up his own views of the strikers position at the club.
"If he goes, he goes, I shall just get somebody else in to replace him. There will be hundreds of players out of contract in the summer and I'm sure a few of them will want to come here."