LUKE BECKETT believes every Town player will be out to impress Andy Ritchie between now and the end of the season - regardless of their contractual situation.

The forward planning of Ritchie's predecessor Peter Jackson means the former Oldham and Barnsley boss inherits 13 players who are tied to the club beyond this summer.

Striker Beckett, who signed a three-year deal when he moved to Town from Sheffield United in an £85,000 transfer last close-season, is one of them.

Also signed up until 2009 are skipper Jon Worthington, Gary Taylor-Fletcher, David Mirfin, Michael Collins and Tom Clarke.

Nathan Clarke's recently-signed three-year deal takes him through to 2010, while those contracted until next year are Matt Glennon, Danny Schofield, Andy Booth, Matt Young, Joe Skarz and Chris Brandon, who is currently on loan to Blackpool.

The rest of the squad will be wondering about their futures, but Beckett insists no player can afford to be complacent.

"Things can change fast in football," says the club's 30-year-old top scorer, who got his 13th of the campaign in last week's 1-1 League I draw at former club Oldham.

"You always have it in the back of your mind that a new manager might not fancy you and decide to move you on.

"The best policy is to get some hard work in and try your best to impress, and I'll be doing that."

Beckett hadn't met Ritchie until yesterday's first training session under the new manager, whose appointment on a two-year contract was confirmed on Wednesday.

But he knows all about his ability as a goal-getter from his time at Oldham.

"Our new gaffer is certainly a legend over there," he said of a player who featured in the Joe Royle-managed Latics side who reached the top fight, a League Cup final and two FA Cup semis in the early Nineties.

"He also had a spell as manager, and the supporters still think the world of him.

"Most people - particularly our fans - will know of his achievements in taking Barnsley to the Championship last season.

"And he has a reputation for trying to play entertaining, attacking football, which should go down well.

"I think I speak for all the lads when I say we're glad the managerial situation is sorted out and that we're looking forward to the future."

The new era starts at Scunthorpe tomorrow - and Beckett will be trying to outdo former Sheffield United teammate Billy Sharp, whose goals have helped take The Iron to the brink of promotion.

The 21-year-old has notched 28 goals in all competitions for Scunthorpe, who suffered their first defeat in 20 matches when going down to Bradley Johnson's last-gasp goal for Northampton on Monday, when it was 2-1 to the home team at Sixfields.

"Billy was coming through the ranks at Bramall Lane when I first went there," added Beckett.

"His career got a kick-start when he was loaned to Rushden at the same time as I came to Town (during 2004-05), and since joining Scunthorpe, he hasn't looked back.

"He'll certainly be playing in at least the Championship next season, but it wouldn't surprise me if a Premiership club came in with an offer Scunthorpe can't refuse."

Scunthorpe: Murphy, Byrne, Butler, Foster, Williams, Taylor, Goodwin, MacKenzie, Baraclough, Hinds, Sparrow, Sharp, Beckford, Hurst, Quinn, Lillis.

Town: Glennon, Sinclair, McIntosh, Mirfin, Skarz, Worthington, Hudson, Collins, Ahmed, Berrett, Beckett, Booth, McAliskey, McCombe, Hand, Eastwood, Racchi.

Referee: Eddie Ilderton (Tyne and Wear).