SALE Sharks head coach Kingsley Jones is already putting in the overtime as he bids to retain a small posse of players who will be out of contract next summer.

Though the former Wales captain will not officially succeed the departing Philippe Saint-Andre as director of rugby until next May, he has already been put in overall charge of recruitment and retention.

Jones has been boosted by the fact that he will inherit one of the Guinness Premiership's most powerful squads with the bulk of Sale's star-studded players still under contract until either 2010 or 11.

But though there are are relatively few players out of contract next summer, there are some notable names whom Jones is anxious to retain.

New Zealand superstar Luke McAlister heads the list though the likes of star Scottish duo Rory Lamont and Jason White are also high on his to-keep list.

"We've had some informal chats to let everybody know where we are and to tell them the message that's come directly from the club owner Brian Kennedy that we are positive about the future and that, as a club, we want to move on to the next level," revealed Jones.

Signed

"We've spoken informally about what it will take to keep those players, what they are looking for, what we are prepared to pay but as yet we haven't actually signed anyone on.

"Chris Bell I guess is the closest to signing a new deal as most of the negotiations there are pretty much done and agreed.

"Obviously, I have had meetings with Luke and his father Charlie and that situation is ongoing. I know Luke would love to stay here but we are under no illusions that there are lots of things for him to take into consideration before he makes a final decision on his future.

"Likewise, I've spoken to Rory Lamont but his agent is over in New Zealand for the holidays so things have had to be put on hold there for a bit.

"We signed him at the right time and he's been fabulous for us, particulary this season prior to his recent injury, and we want to keep him.

"Jason White is another guy we've had early conversations with and who we really want to re-sign and I have also had chats with Sean Cox and young David Tait.

"In fact I haven't had anyone come up and say that they want to leave. Everyone I've spoken to is really positive about staying at the club.

Talks

"All I've done up until now is have intital talks, find out where we are before sitting down and look at the budget and then making some concrete offers and that's where we are with the majority of the guys who will be out of contract come the summer.

"We've told all the guys we want to keep them we've now got to go to the next stage and try and find the right package to keep them happy.

"Obviously, everybody wants to get to best deal for themselves which is undestandable so its going to be a real tough balancing act.

"And what I'm already finding - and we're not alone as a club in this - is that it is really difficult trying to work within a ?4m salary budget.

"In terms of new recruits, I haven't made any moves in that regard as my first priority is all about contract renenwals.

"If I can keep the guys that I want hopefully we won't need to recruit too widely."

At this stage, the only probable departures next May - alongside Sebastien Chabal and director of rugby Philippe Saint-Andre - look like being French compatriots Sebastien Bruno and Lionel Faure.

Stalwart

Bruno has given stalwart service to Sale over the past five years but, with his 35th birthday looming next summer, the international hooker is thought to be keen to return home to see out the remainder of his career - particularly given the lucrative strength of the Euro right now.

As for prop Faure, who has broken into the French national team since moving to Edgeley Park in 2005, he is understood to be anxious to return home for family reasons.

Meanwhile, former Scotland captain White misses this weekend's Guinness Premiership trip to Worcester and will be out of action for between three and four weeks after dislocating his finger during the Boxing Day 31-3 thrashing of Wasps.

The flanker - who had been back to his destructive best in recent weeks - had a small operation earlier this week but could be fit in time for Sale's final Heineken Cup group game against Clermont Auvergne in late January. Tweet