Toyosi Olusanya or Richard Taylor not expected to sign new St Mirren deals

Stephen Robinson revealed he is not expecting Toyosi Olusanya or Richard Taylor to extend their contracts with St Mirren.

The English duo have become key players for the Buddies but their deals are due to expire at the end of this season.

Manager Robinson is not optimistic about the prospect of reaching an agreement with either 27-year-old forward Olusanya or 24-year-old defender Taylor.

“No, there’s been no progress on that at the moment,” he said when asked about negotiations with the pair. “We’ve made further offers to both players, but it looks at this moment in time that we probably won’t be able to come to an agreement, which we respect.

“We know both boys will give absolutely everything. We won’t give up. We’re still very early. We’ll see where we are come the end of January, if we can go any further than that, but they’re very good offers for the football club so I’m not sure we can.

“We understand their position. They’re two very, very good players and super boys.”

Robinson felt this month’s international break was a good chance for St Mirren to reset after a turbulent period in which three players – Kevin van Veen, Shaun Rooney and Jaden Brown – all had their contracts terminated early by the club on the back of separate criminal proceedings.

“It was a situation nobody wanted to be in and it was a tough period,” Robinson reflected. “We were a small squad and then we were reduced by another three players, first-team players, not boys on the outskirts of things.

“They were players that could have played an important part. It’s tough to deal with, but the squad have adapted to that. It’s a chance to draw a line under it now and just positivity going forward.”

St Mirren could hand a debut to left-sided defender Declan John, who arrived as a free-agent signing earlier this month, against high-flying Aberdeen on Saturday. Robinson and his recruitment staff are preparing to replenish their squad further in the January window.

“We’ve got people in mind, people we’ve spoken to,” he said. “Obviously we’re trying to build that squad back up again after the loss of three players. But we’ve got targets in mind that we’re not far down the line with but that we have made contact with.”