New Zealand Cricket's annual contracts list could be out as early as tomorrow morning with Neil Broom, Colin de Grandhomme and Jeet Raval pushing for inclusion on the 21-player list.
Doug Bracewell and Mark Craig risk missing out, while Luke Ronchi's retirement will create an extra gap.
Elsewhere, the list should remain similar to last year with Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor and Trent Boult leading the way. Captain Williamson will be a shoo-in for the top contract in excess of $205,000.
All-rounders Corey Anderson and Jimmy Neesham will be in the mix but their rankings might dip after struggling to stamp their mark as match-winning ODI all-rounders at the Champions Trophy.
If selected, Raval and de Grandhomme would make maiden appearances.
As a test opener, Raval impressed in seven tests after debuting against Pakistan in November. He made five half-centuries, including three against South Africa, and averaged 44.81.
De Grandhomme played as an all-rounder in all formats over summer but particularly impressed with his test bowling. He took 16 wickets at 25.56, including the best bowling in an innings by a New Zealand debutant with figures of six wickets for 41 runs against Pakistan in Christchurch.
Broom would return to the list after last appearing in 2011-12. He made his test debut against South Africa but starred in one-day internationals, averaging 43 from 15 innings at a strike rate of 91 with one century and four half-centuries. His fielding saved myriad runs.
Bracewell looks set to spend time in the domestic contract ranks after a year in which he played two tests in South Africa, an ODI in India and then tore an anterior cruciate ligament in his knee during the McDonald's Super Smash. He was recently subject to his third drink-drive conviction when he responded to an emergency call after dogs killed his partner's pet cockatoo.
Craig played one test, against India in Kanpur, over the last contract period. He suffered a side strain during the match and didn't feature for the rest of the domestic summer.
Upcoming wicketkeeper-batsmen Glenn Phillips and Tom Blundell, and pace bowlers Scott Kuggeleijn, Lockie Ferguson, Seth Rance and Hamish Bennett are expected to remain on the periphery.
The current year-long contracts extend to July 31.
A set criteria ranks players across all formats, with tests receiving twice the weighting of ODIs and T20Is.
A possible 21-player contracts list for 2017-18 (in alphabetical order): Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, Neil Broom, Colin de Grandhomme, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Mitchell McClenaghan, Adam Milne, Colin Munro, James Neesham, Henry Nicholls, Jeet Raval, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson, George Worker.