Size does matter for Shakes

8:00am Saturday 19th April 2008

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Winger Ricky Shakes faces a nervous wait on news from the Brentford boardroom after boss Andy Scott revealed an offer of a new contract would depend on the size of his budget.

The 23-year-old, along with skipper Matt Heywood, is one of two Griffin Park stars out of contract this summer, after Ross Montague was offered an extension to his current deal.

Centre-back Heywood is locked in talks over re-signing for the club, with both parties confident of reaching an agreement, while youngster Lewis Dark has been told he is free to leave.

Scott insists he does not have to sell anyone this summer to balance the books after a clearout during the January transfer window.

But he admitted Shakes's future depended on the money men, who were this week expected to finally ratify cash reserves for next season.

"Matt and Ricky are the only two out of contract at the moment. I have already spoken to Matt and he knows we would like him to stay," he said.

"But the size of the budget is going to determine which players I can keep.

"Ricky knows the situation and I will speak to him again once I know what I have got to play with."

Meanwhile, winger Charlie Ide's Bees future looks bleak after returning early from a spell on loan at Blue Square South title-chasing Lewes.

Ide, 19, who has a year left on his contract, has not featured under Scott since recovering from a groin injury.

And the Bees boss admits the youngster must take a leaf out of defender Karleigh Osborne's book if he is to extend his Griffin Park career.

"Things did not work out for him at Lewes and we are going to have to sit down with him in the summer to see where he is going, because things have stagnated," Scott added.

"He has not lived up to the expectations of last year.

"He is nowhere near that at the moment.

"The likes of Karleigh have progressed far quicker, but he still has time to learn."