When Doncaster Rovers must offer new deals to out of contract players they want to keep

All EFL clubs will be required to submit their retained and released lists by that date, following changes made to contract regulations as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic’s effect on the game.

Rovers currently have 14 players approaching the end of their deals but the Free Press understands that seven of the younger individuals have already been informed of their fates.

Previously, clubs would have been required to inform all players of their intentions by mid-May. But the shutdown of the game following the coronavirus crisis forced a delay.

With the fate of the current season still not fully confirmed, particularly in League One, there has been a reluctance among clubs to commit to new contracts when there is not a clear picture of the financial landscape in the game.

But this regulation change will force the hands of clubs, unless they wish to run the risk of losing a player they hope to keep.

The Sunderland Echo have reported that four main alterations to contract regulations were agreed by EFL clubs in recent weeks.

These changes laid out the responsibilities of clubs but also handed them the opportunity to secure the services of players for the remainder of the 2019/20 campaign, should it progress beyond June 30.

The Championship is working towards a restart date of June 20, with nine rounds of fixtures still to be played. The fate of the League One season has yet to be decided.

The more main changes to regulations are:

- Clubs have until June 23 to offer new deals to players or release them

- Should fixtures continue beyond June 30, out of contract players can sign a short term extension to run until the completion of the 19/20 season

- Rival clubs cannot approach players whose contracts expire on June 30 until June 24. Previous rules prevented approaches being made before the third Saturday in May.

- Should a player leave for another club, they will not be eligible to play until the start of the 2020/21 season.

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