Lack Of Contract Talks A Major Worry

Last updated : 26 March 2014 By Tott Dixon - Seaham

Sunderland manager Gus Poyet insists that he is happy none of his out-of-contract players are demanding talks.

A host of the Black Cats squad will see their current deals expire in the summer, but given Sunderland's current situation the club have not prioritised new contracts.

In total seven players are out of contract at the Stadium of Light - Seb Larsson, Craig Gardner, Jack Colback, Keiren Westwood, Carlos Cuellar, Phil Bardsley and Andrea Dossena.

But Poyet maintains that he is more than happy with how things stand and insists he has not told any of them that they could leave.

"I have not told any of the players who are out of contract that they are free to look for another club this summer," Poyet told the Sunderland Echo.

"I think the players are clear enough. No one has come to me and asked me about it.

"I didn't want to start talks anyway because it can be taken the wrong way if you are not careful.

"My view is that players have to take the attitude of when does my contract finish? 30th of June?

"OK, then I'm a player for this club until the 30th of June.

"I'm the head coach here, I will play you regardless of your contract situation - and I want you to give me everything, regardless of your contract.

"That should be enough. Your contract does not finish in January, it finishes in June.

"So give me everything until June and if you show me everything in training, I will play you anyway, regardless of your contract situation.

"It doesn't matter if we offer a player a contract and he says he's not going to sign - that doesn't mean I'm not going to play that player anymore

"He will play, I promise you, if he's impressing me with his attitude and his ability in training.

"But I think that that approach of having respect and trust for each other is working so far, so I've got no problems with any of the players in that direction."