Cardiff City boss Steve Morison says he expects talks over new contracts to pick up pace over the coming weeks and admits the form of Joe Ralls is becoming impossible to overlook.
Ralls is one of 10 players whose current deal runs out at the end of the season, and his strong run of recent form means the questions over his future beyond the current campaign are likely to continue.
The dust has barely settled on what was a pretty busy transfer window in the capital with five new arrivals, and Morison admits that contracts are likely to be pushed closer to the top of the agenda, but insists no one is currently knocking on his door, with much of the focus instead on staving off the threat of relegation.
"I presume they will," he replied when asked if there was likely to be movement on any new deals over the coming weeks.
"One of the great things about the players out of contract is that because of the situation we’ve been in, and the situation we’re still in, no one’s bothered me with it."
Morison's short-term deal means he himself is out of contract at the end of the season, and he admits the uncertainty over his own position has perhaps proved something of a stumbling block.
"There’s been a couple of small conversations, but it’s difficult because I haven’t got a contract either," he continued.
"So for me to make a decision is tough. I could make a decision and then I leave, and someone comes in and says 'by the way, I would have kept him'.
"So it’s tough, but they’ve all totally understood that no one can really be sitting there, knocking on the door asking for a contract when we're three points off the bottom three, because no one’s covered themselves in glory."
That said, the form of Ralls has been a real positive for the City boss, who says the midfielder is a player who, in an ideal world, they would like to keep.
"Obviously Joe Ralls has been arguably the standout," he said. "For me, he’s top five in the Champ, and he’s top five when it comes to stats. He’s a fantastic player and one who I’m sure us and the football club will try and keep if it’s possible."
However, given his situation, Morison admits there's every chance the midfielder's form might well attract admiring glances from elsewhere.
"Once you go into this situation it’s difficult because his destiny’s in his own hands really," he added. "If he turns round and says he doesn’t want to go anywhere it makes it easier.
"But if I’m saying he’s top five then others will be looking at him as well, I’m sure."
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