Docherty eyes 'stable & sustainable future' on and off pitch

"We just want to make sure the boys are rewarded for what they have done at this football club."

Tony Docherty is hopeful the recent, "fantastic" news regarding the approval of their new Riverside training centre will help contribute to ongoing contract conversations with a number of players.

Reports suggest there are 13 players out of contract at the end of the season, but Docherty is comfortable with the situation and admits "talks are ongoing".

Should they stay, the players will be enjoy new facilities. The planning application for a new football training centre and community hub at the city's Riverside pitches, was approved earlier this week by Dundee City Council.

"These boys deserve it," Docherty said as he previewed Saturday's game against Aberdeen.

"We have good facilities here, but to get approval for going into your own training ground is fantastic news.

"It can contribute towards the ongoing talks and we just want to make sure the boys are rewarded for what they have done at this football club."

It's a "massive" move for the club, says Docherty who said he is "OK" with the situation surrounding many of his squad.

"It is important you look at each individual one, all the players are getting spoken to and it is important there is stability within the football club," he added.

"It was well documented when I came in there were only three signed players, so we have managed in that first season to build up a core of players.

"It is steady improvement every year and we are working very much on that basis to create that stability and that sustainability and that involves these contract extensions.

"These things are ongoing. We don't want to put ourselves out there and mention any more than we need to but talks are ongoing"