Barnet have announced Lee Cook and Jack Saville will be released at the end of their contracts with Michael Gash, Sam Togwell and David Stephens offered new deals.

Furthermore, discussions will take place with club captain Charlie MacDonald, Jon Nurse and Sam Cowler about new deals.

Cook made 32 league starts and scored eight times for the Bees last term but after an excellent start to the season tailed off and was not included in Martin Allen's matchday squad for the final two games.

Barnet will take up the option to extend the deals of Andy Yiadom, Bondz N’Gala, Curtis Weston, Luke Gambin, Luisma Villa and Elliott Johnson. 

And speaking to the club website, Allen admitted it had been a hard decision: "With regards to Cookie it has been my hardest decision. 

"He has won us games with his brilliant skills and shooting ability, he has been a real help to me off the pitch with help and guidance, and he has been a model professional.

“He has not been bothered at having to clean his own kit and boots, not bothered that we don't stop in nice hotels for pre-match, and not bothered that we bring our own food. After having it throughout his playing career he could have rolled his eyes and moaned. He's a diamond bloke, a great player and a champion."

Turning to Saville, Allen explained his decision to release the former Southampton centre-back: “I believe that Sav needs to get out and play 40 games in order for his career to evolve and to see where it can take him."

Saville, who only re-signed with the Bees last season after initially being told he would be let go, made a total of 14 league starts, with a further 12 appearances coming from the bench.

John Akinde and Mauro Vilhete are contracted for two further years, whilst Graham Stack and Keanu Marsh-Brown are both under contract for another year.