Lee Johnson says he would like to keep the majority of the nine Barnsley players whose contracts are due to expire in the next month.

The Reds head coach told the Chronicle that he would not want to lose more than a handful of the players which include loan men Aidy White, Kevin Long, Ivan Toney, Ben Pearson, Lloyd Isgrove, Michael Smith, Conor Wilkinson and the contracted Reece Wabara and Simeon Jackson. Those players make up around a third of the Reds' current squad with first team experience and Johnson says they have made contact with some of the parent clubs.

Johnson said: "We're talking to the parent clubs, gaging scenarios and situations. There are players who have done well, players who have done OK but could do better and players who have not done as well as we had hoped.  I hope it's just a handful of changes to the squad. We would like to keep the majority of those players who are due to leave us."

Right-back Wabara's contract runs until December 31 while Jackson, who has been used as a back-up striker, has a deal until January 3. Johnson added: "Reece has been good for us. He had a really good start followed by a poor period but the team was poor in that period as well.  But he's been excellent in the last two or three games. He's pushed James Bree on as well and we need that competition for places.

"We'll sit down with Reece at some point and have a discussion. Simeon is another one who we will have that conversation with."

Long, meanwhile, signed a 28-day loan but has missed the last two games and is due to miss tomorrow's match due to suspension. His spell with the club is due to come to an end on December 19 after the Reds' home game with Wigan.

Striker Toney's deal was extended earlier this week but only runs until January.

Johnson has previously expressed his desire to bring in central midfielder Pearson on a permanent deal from Manchester United. Pearson, in his second spell with the club, has made 25 appearances this season and scored twice. His spell at the club is due to expire on January 3 and, with Josh Scowen out with a long-term injury, he is one of the few options Johnson has in that position.

Isgrove's spell at the club is due to expire on the same day as will full-back White's loan from Rotherham United.

Johnson said: "It's difficult because I love Ben Pearson as a player and a lad. He's progressed here and enjoyed it here.  Of course I would like to bring him in on a permanent or a longer loan but I don't know whether that will be possible or not."

Other loanees Smith and Wilkinson were signed with a view to permanent transfers from Swindon Town and Bolton Wanderers respectively. Their deals expire on January 4 but neither have impressed and doubts linger as to whether Barnsley would want to make their moves permanent.