Nigel Pearson hinted he is powerless to prevent some Bristol City players who may be running down their contracts but has tasked others to prove they deserve new deals.
A number of notable names have entered the final year of their contracts including Tomas Kalas, Dan Bentley, Jay Dasilva and Han-Noah Massengo.
Chris Martin and Nahki Wells' deals are also expiring in 2023 as remains the case with Andy King, Harvey Wiles-Richards and Josh Owers while the club holds a one-year option in the contracts of Antoine Semenyo, Owura Edwards, Taylor Moore, James Morton, Max O'Leary and Zak Vyner.
Pearson has repeatedly said he doesn't want players running down their contracts but given the financial situation of the club, the likes of Bentley, Kalas, Dasilva and Wells would more than likely need to take a reduction or sign a longer-term contract because the current financial climate has changed dramatically since agreeing their salaries during the 2019/20 season, before the pandemic.
Massengo has had a new deal on the table since December but continues to hold off putting pen-to-paper with the growing likelihood he will leave on a free transfer next summer. There is security over Semenyo because the club will activate the option they hold, while Bentley admitted at the end of last season that his representatives have made contact.
However, there remains uncertainty over the futures of the others particularly Kalas who has been struggling with an initial groin and knee injury since March 5. Dasilva's impressive form is likely to see the club move in an attempt to tie him down although the manager confirmed he was in the market for a left-sided player towards the end of the summer.
Pearson, however, seemed relaxed about the situation as there's still plenty of football to be played before decisions are made.
He said in his press conference ahead of Wednesday's trip to face Norwich City at Carrow Road: "I can't do much about the ones that seem to be doing that (running them down). Now is too early.
"I think it's important that players play for contracts as well. You know what the scenario has been in the last two summers, I don't want to get ahead of the situation.
"At some point, I'm sure individual representatives will have a chat with Richard (Gould) at some point and it will be driven by also conversations internally about where we see the squad developing.
"There's an awful lot of football to be played before some decisions are made on players. I have no problem with saying at the moment that there are a number of players that will continue to have to play for a new contract, but I think that is quite healthy really."
City have been working hard to tie its young players down to new contracts this summer. Tommy Conway, Sam Bell, Dylan Kadji and Raph Araoye have all been among those to commit their long-term futures to the club.
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