SAM RICKETTS does not plan changes to the backroom staff already in place at The Racecourse.

Dean Keates left to take charge of Walsall in March and his right-hand man, Andy Davies, was appointed manager until the end of the season with coaches Carl Darlington, Stephen Wright and Michael Oakes offering support.

“I am looking to work with the staff here,” said Ricketts. “I know a few of them already, there are some I don’t know.

“I have done my research and I think there are very good people in place at the club already.

“I am not of the opinion to come in and rip everything up. If something is working you don’t necessarily want to change it.”

One of Ricketts’ first jobs will be to announce his retained list.

Captain Shaun Pearson is one of eight players under contract for next season but the likes of top scorer Chris Holroyd are free agents this summer.

Ricketts will hold talks with the Reds staff and then decide who he wants to stay.

“The research and looking into players here and elsewhere has been on-going,” said Ricketts. “It is just a question of absorbing as much information as I can from people who have worked with the players currently, people who know the players from elsewhere outside of this club, and just trying to tap into every resource I know to make all these important decisions.

“I will try to make it as soon as I can for the players’ sake.

“You want to make the right decision, but you also want to be fair to the players and be honest with them as quick as I can so we all know which direction we are going in.”

Go to leaderlive.co.uk to watch videos of new Reds’ boss Sam Ricketts’ first day at The Racecourse