Hutchings sets contracts deadline

Chris Hutchings has warned his out-of-contract Walsall players they have until the start of next week to agree new deals – or face having their offers withdrawn.

Chris Hutchings has warned his out-of-contract Walsall players they have until the start of next week to agree new deals – or face having their offers withdrawn.

The Saddlers chief is waiting for Clayton Ince, Chris Palmer, Jabo Ibehre and Manny Smith to sign along with Rene Gilmartin, Netan Sansara and Sofiene Zaaboub.

Double Player of the Season Ince is in Trinidad and Tobago preparing for the World Cup qualifier with Costa Rica, and the player's contracts don't expire until the end of the month.

But Hutchings wants them resolved, so he can start making his moves in the transfer market.

He said: "They've got until Monday or Tuesday to get back in touch. If we don't hear from them then, we will start to withdraw the offers.

"We've got to be fair to the lads and allow them the four-week period from when we sent the letters.

"They have had four weeks to negotiate with us and to go over any aspects of the offers. We now need decisions so we can plan."

The former Wigan boss admits he is at the mercy of agents who he realises will be advertising their clients' availability to other clubs.

He said: "You never know how the players think and what their agents are doing.

"But the grass isn't always greener on the other side."