Out-of-contract Greek midfielder Angelos Basinas, 34, is set to leave the club but Hreidarsson has already been in talks over a fresh deal. Although the Icelandic defender is sidelined with an Achilles injury until late in the year, he has been identified as a key man in their plans. The popular 35-year-old has been at Fratton Park since 2007 and has previously played in the second tier with Crystal Palace, Wimbledon and Ipswich after arriving in England in 1997. With manager Avram Grant set to move on, coaches Paul Groves, Ian Woan and Dave Coles have been helping administrator Andrew Andronikou with Pompey's retained list. England goalkeeper David James has already been offered a new deal and Andronikou also wants to retain Portuguese defender Ricardo Rocha, along with out-of-contract youngsters Joel Ward and Marlon Pack. Teenage defender Lenny Sowah is also in line for a contract extension to ward off growing interest from elsewhere. "Over the next few days we will make public who is going to be released," Andronikou told The News. "There are half a dozen at the club we would have been looking to let go anyway, regardless of administration. "One of those is Basinas, who has not been a regular this season and it makes sense for him to leave. "There are others we want to keep, though, and we have spoken to Hermann about a new contract. "We held talks on Friday ahead of him going on holiday on Monday and he definitely wants to stay. We need people like him at this football club next year. "He has that tremendous passion and desire, as well as caring about the club deeply. "We will also be offering contracts to Ward and Pack, who represent the future of this club and are highly regarded. Another promising youngster is Sowah, who has one year left and is going to be offered an extension. "Rocha is another we are looking at speaking to, but that is all I am prepared to say at the moment. Rest assured, we are working hard to give this squad a firm base for next season." Although Andronikou is looking to cut the club's wage bill, he has stressed the key decisions over the squad are being influenced by the backroom staff rather than his own personal views. "The coaching staff are advising us on who should remain at Fratton Park," he added. "They have full control and it is down to them. "After all, they are the experts and have been given full automony to shape the club's squad for next season."
