Players approaching deadline for accepting Doncaster Rovers' contract offers

Discussions were opened with around half a dozen players in the last few weeks, with the club keen to tie down some of the leading members of the group.

Boss Andy Butler revealed the initial deadline for those players is the end of this week, with any who opt against signing at this time pushing their next negotiation opportunity back until the end of the season.

The Free Press understands that discussions have been positive with a number of players and there is an expectation they will put pen to paper on new contracts in the near future.

Others have requested already that negotiations resume after the end of the campaign.

“The players we offered contracts to have until Friday to decide whether they want to stay and accept the contracts or let it run until the end of the season,” Butler said.

“If they do that they risk a new manager coming in and not wanting the players.

“If I’m not manager, I still want those players alongside me because I know what they can do.

“That is why the club have used my opinion, along with Adam Henshall’s. With David Blunt [chairman] and Gavin Baldwin [CEO] we came to the decision to offer those players the contracts because we believe they are good enough to play in League One and higher.”

Players who opt to wait until after the conclusion of the season will be able to hear offers from other clubs, but also run the risk of Rovers exploring other options in the meantime.

“It goes down to the agents and the club,” Butler said.

“I’ve told the club who I want to stay and it’s up to them to decide. I’ll find out over the weekend who has turned it down and who hasn’t.

“It’s not for the want of trying. Players have their different reasons if they don’t want to sign, whether that’s financial or playing higher.”

A total of ten players will reach the end of their contracts in the summer - discounting James Coppinger who is set to retire.

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