Doncaster Rovers CEO outlines plan for contract talks with players whose deals are expiring

Rovers will see 12 players reach the end of their contracts in June - though the club has the option of additional years for Andy Butler and Jason Lokilo, while James Coppinger is set to retire.

Boss Darren Moore suggested earlier this month it would not be the right time to negotiate new deals due to the uncertainty of the Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on the club.

But chief executive Baldwin has stated the process will begin next month, which the affected players are all aware of.

“We’ve communicated to the players that there’s a meeting with Darren and the board on February 11 and the conversations will start then,” he told the Free Press.

“The players are very happy with that.

“We were happy for conversations to take place through December and January but Darren quite rightly advised that he wanted the players to throw themselves into the busy Christmas period without distraction.

“He said let’s get the transfer window out of the way, take stock and have the conversations then.

“What Darren has done well is have conversations with the players to take away any concerns that they may have and just to be open and honest.

“We were led by Darren on when these conversations should take place and, to be fair to him, he’s been proven right. The players have thrown themselves into this period and we’re in a great position as we speak.

“Darren, Adam [Henshall, head of talent identification] and myself are already having meetings so we can agree on the recommendations we put to the board.

“You would presume, because the board have got their own feelings on things as well, that most of those recommendations won’t be surprises.”

Contract talks would typically have taken place with a handful of players by this point.

But Baldwin does not believe Rovers are fighting from behind by delaying negotiations and insists most other clubs he speaks to have also held back.

“Not at all,” he said.

“Equally, and I speak to my peers all the time, we’re not behind any club.

“Every club is nervous right now about what is going to happen by the end of this season.

“We’ve spoken to the players and their agents, and there appears to be no concerns with the February time scale at all.”

*

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.