Express & Echo (City & East Devon Edition)
Caldwell looks towards next season for City
»» EXETER City will be using the final four games of their League One campaign to start planning for next season.
The Grecians are all but safe after a run of 14 points from their last 18 available, which has taken them clear of any relegation danger and into the top half of League One.
And last night they were at Leyton Orient, before a trip to Port Vale on Saturday, a home game against Northampton Town the following weekend, and a final-day home showdown with Oxford United.
Saturday’s 1-0 win over Stevenage saw Alex Hartridge named as the captain on what will likely be the academy product’s final appearance after the defender turned down the offer of a contract extension.
But Caldwell confirmed that other selection decisions were made with an eye on next season. Loanee Mo Eisa was not in the 18, nor was Yanic Wildschut, while Jake Richards and Caleb Watts were named on the bench in preference to Harry Kite and Kyle Taylor, both of whom are also out of contract in the summer.
“First thing we want to do is win the game, the second thing is to involve players who will be here or who we want to be here next season,” Caldwell said. “Every game we will look to win the game, but to pick players who we feel will be with us next season.
“Every squad will have different facets but we will build towards winning and next season.
“Players have to earn it, it is not a free hit that if you are an academy player you get in.”
Two other players Caldwell said he would love to have back at St James Park next campaign are loanees Ryan Woods and Vil Sinisalo.