NIGEL Davies has not ruled out new Gloucester deals for hooker Tommaso d'Apice or full-back Martyn Thomas.
Gloucester boss Davies has admitted d'Apice and Thomas could yet secure new Kingsholm contracts for next season.
Both rugby director Davies and the two players are thought to be equally unsure at this point about the potential of a Kingsholm future next term.
But the former Wales centre said there is no reason to close the door to new deals.
Davies presented seven Cherry and Whites players with framed Gloucester shirts, signed by this year's squad, at Wednesday night's end-of-season awards dinner.
This was a welcome move, driven by Davies.
Not every player's situation is resolved by the time of the end-of-season awards night.
In the past Gloucester have been reticent to discuss individual situations, for fear of wishing someone farewell prematurely.
An unfortunate by-product of that has been that at times several players have left without fitting acclaim or fanfare.
Davies was keen to ensure all those who could be leaving were rightly respected for their Cherry and Whites graft.
And by leaving the door open for new deals, he has neither jumped the gun nor undervalued several important contributions.
Captain Jim Hamilton, scrum-half Dave Lewis, tighthead Dario Chistolini and stalwart back-rower Pete Buxton are all definitely heading elsewhere this summer.
Centre Drew Locke received his shirt, and is also expected to depart after a season at Kingsholm.
Davies hailed Montpellier-bound skipper Hamilton's vast Gloucester influence this term, labelling the totemic lock a 'natural leader of men'.
He said: "Jim was the first person I met when I arrived at the club, and he helped me shape my plans, he was extremely honest and forthright about where he felt we needed to go as a club."
Sione Kalamafoni won the player of the season award, with Freddie Burns voted as young player by the staff at award sponsors Renishaw.
Scrum-half Dan Robson was honoured as community player of the season, while Henry Trinder claiming the try of the campaign award – for his score in Gloucester's 29-23 victory over Worcester at Kingsholm on Friday, February 22.
Exeter Chiefs recruit Lewis and Zebre capture Chistolini were hailed for their strong service.
But the toast of the night was rightly reserved for flanker Buxton, who will head to Bristol this summer after 11 years at Kingsholm.
The bruising back-rower has racked up 274 Gloucester appearances in a career of unstinting commitment and no little quality.
Backing the Cheltenham-born loose-forward to thrive at Bristol next year, Davies admitted he felt slightly out of place in praising Buxton this week.
He explained: "I almost felt embarrassed, if I'm honest, in praising and congratulating Pete on his 11 years at the club in his player review this week.
"I have only been at the club ten months and he's been here more than ten years.
"But congratulate him I did, because of his fantastic service record. I know he has not played as often as he would have like this season, but he captained the A team, helping to develop the younger players involved there.
"And in the last two games of the season he has shown that he exudes all the exact qualities that it takes to excel as a Gloucester player."
Accepting his shirt amid a standing ovation, unassuming fans' favourite Bucko kept his speech typically brief.
After hailing Gloucester's 'proper' rugby club spirit, Buxton offered a quick thankyou.
And with that he was back to his table, never one to seek acclaim.
Try as he might, he could not avoid the limelight.
One lengthy salute from appreciative fans, team-mates and colleagues is the least he deserves.
