When the Walsall-born boss was appointed just over a year ago he inherited a squad with eighteen players who still had 18 months to run on their contracts, meaning he had little opportunity to put his stamp on the side.
But with several of those players set to become free agents this summer Keates believes their performances in the final thirteen games of the season will have a big impact on their respective futures.
Speaking via the Express & Star, Keates said; "There are a lot of players whose contracts rolled over. The club needs to stabilise and get back in control of itself and, at the end of the season, it will do that.
"Going forward the club could have the possibility of 11 players in contract, 11 out of contract so you can refresh it, not have 17 contracts rolling over like this season. The players that are out of contract, they have to sell themselves to me, to the football club.
"They need to show they deserve to be here next season or, you never know who is watching. There are always potential employers watching. You are always in the shop window as a player. They have to go out there and do there best."