Cheltenham Town release eight players

Yates took over at Cheltenham in December 2009

Cheltenham boss Mark Yates has released eight players and offered new deals to six of his squad.

Julian Alsop, Scott Brown, Jack Durrant, Barry Hayles, David Hutton, Will Puddy, Lee Ridley and Michael Townsend are all leaving the club.

Yates told BBC Gloucestershire: "It's not a nice part of the job, but it's something you have to do as a manager.

Scott P Brown, David Bird, Andy Gallinagh, Josh Low, Michael Pook and Justin Richards have received offers.

Yates added: "Players know what this time of year's about when contracts are up so we try and speak to the players individually."

The club will also discuss a deal with Shane Duff, who missed six months of the season after Achilles surgery.

The operation was intended to cure a problem which has given the 28-year-old persistent trouble in recent seasons, limiting him to few than 60 league starts in the last three campaigns.

Yates is keen to keep his captain at the club, but concedes there is a dilemma.

"Shane has had injury problems for the last couple of seasons, we know he's a good player, but he hasn't played enough games," he said.

"I think it's common knowledge that Shane's one of our top earners and quite right, but the club's got to get value for money - ultimately we've got a budget and we've got to work to that."