Exeter City wanting to get Luke Harris back for another season

Exeter City manager Gary Caldwell says talks are ongoing with Demetri Mitchell over an extended contract, while he hopes to bring Fulham loanee Luke Harris back to St James’ Park for next season.

Mitchell has not played since suffering a season-ending knee injury in the 3-2 Carabao Cup fourth round defeat to Championship side Middlesbrough back in November, but he had established himself as a key player for the Grecians with his impressive performances before injury struck.

No sooner had it been confirmed that he was out for the season than the City boss said he was keen to tie Mitchell down for next season and beyond and those talks are ongoing, according to the Grecians boss.

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“We are getting there!” Caldwell said. “We’re talking to a few players about next season, even beyond that and extending players contracts for not just next season but beyond that as well.

“I think that’s where we need to get to as a football club, that we have a continuity in the squad. Players are here not just for one or two seasons and then leave, we commit players for longer and really build something here.

“We’re trying hard. It’s not easy to do that and obviously, every individual has different ideas of what they want and agents and all the things you need to go through to make it happen, but we are speaking to several of our players and hopefully we can get some of them announced soon.”

Harris, meanwhile, was due to join the Grecians back in August, only for the deal to collapse at the last minute, but he was in the door as soon as the January transfer window opened, joining on a loan deal for the remainder of the season.

The 18-year-old Wales international has fared superbly well as well showing he is more than good enough for League One despite his tender years and his goal in the 4-2 comeback win at Port Vale last week was one of the goals of the season.

Caldwell was seen pointing to Harris and singing ‘one more year, Luke Harris!’ in the post-match celebrations at Vale Park, similar to the ‘one more year, Sinisalo’ chant Exeter fans have sung in recent weeks, and there is no doubt that he would love to keep him in Devon for next season as well.

“We’ve got a few that we want one more year with!” Caldwell said. “The fans obviously love the Vili chant and we’d be delighted if Villa wanted to keep him here for one more year as well but yeah I thought Luke and (Ryan) Woodsy on Saturday as well deserved a bit of praise and recognition for what they’ve done since they’ve come to the club.

“They came into the club at a really difficult time, the team wasn’t playing well, the team wasn’t winning regularly and they’ve made a huge impact so Fulham and Hull could keep him here for one more year, that would be great.

“The plan was for Luke to be here from the start. It didn’t happen and we’re really thankful to Fulham for making it happen in January. I think he’s been a brilliant addition, the players love him, and he’s fitted in really well. I think he’ll be the first to tell you he loves playing for this football club.

“We will have discussions with Fulham about what is best for Luke next season, but I think he’s had a big impact and I think potentially more time with us next year would be really helpful for his development.

“He’s another player, like Stanno who we had from Fulham, that I can see playing for Fulham in years to come. If we can help Fulham with that and help Luke with that development then we’d love to do so because he’s a great lad and he’s a player that the players and staff all love working with.”

One player who will be at St James Park next summer is goalkeeper Shaun MacDonald, who has signed a new one-year contract to remain at the club until the end of the 2024/25 season. The 27-year-old joined the club in September and has made two appearances for the Grecians, though has also played a huge part in the support and development of both Viljami Sinisalo and Harry Lee in what has become a hugely competitive position in the squad.

I've loved it here since I signed and it really is a great group of lads here," MacDonald said. "The manager is taking the club in the right direction and his style of play is really nice to play - I say that as a goalkeeper! We are a club going in the right direction.

"I don't want to be a number two forever, no goalkeeper does, but when you're not playing you have to be a motivator for the lads. I wasn't in the squad when I first came here but my goal for next season is to try and get that no.1 shirt, whoever I am competing against next season."

Manager Caldwell added: "Shaun has brilliant, and although he hasn't contributed in terms of minutes, his contribution cannot go unnoticed for what he has done in the dressing room and on a daily basis. We see someone who every day motivates, supports and energises people and I remember at Stevenage away he was getting the back line sorted from the touchline and that spirit and desire is hugely appreicated by everyone at the club. In training, nothing is too much for him and he is always ready to push which ever other goalkeeper is in."

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