Darren Moore talks latest on player contracts at Doncaster Rovers
Darren Moore says he will not be able to decide upon player contracts at Doncaster Rovers until there is much greater clarity over how football will emerge from the Covid-19 crisis.
Rovers will see 14 players reach the end of their deals on June 30, including James Coppinger, Kieran Sadlier, Devante Cole and Matty Blair.
Though he would typically have made his decision on whether to offer new deals at this stage, he believes the implications of the current situation mean that is impossible.
With no decision yet taken on the fate of the 2019/20 season, or when next season could begin and under what circumstances, Moore says there is no clear picture of what his playing budget will be.
“Once we know what is happening next it would ultimately be the next thing to do - to have meetings, in any scenario and discuss where we are as a club,” Moore told the Free Press.
“We need those discussions with Gavin Baldwin [CEO], the chairman and the board of directors about how they decide things going forward.
“Only after that can we make plans off that. At this stage it’s just more speculating.
“We need to wait on the government and if we’re going to be allowed to come back. If we are then it’s all about getting the players back up and ready to go.
“At the moment it looks highly unlikely but I’m just trying to keep myself in a neutral zone, in terms of waiting to see what is happening.”
Rovers offered a new deal to Sadlier before the turn of the year but he has yet to sign.
Moore insists there can be little change in the current circumstances and believes it will be a period of uncertainty for players across the game seeking contracts.
“It’s another situation [Sadlier] where it’s all unknown,” Moore said.
“When it comes to contracts at this stage, clubs don’t know whether they are going to be in a position to match offers, up them or anything.
“Who knows the financial bite of this? It’s so difficult to know where any of us are going to be.”