Phil Parkinson has warned Colchester United players to be realistic during contract negotiations.

And with just one game to go until the end of the season the no-nonsense U's boss also said the number of out-of-contract players at Layer Road was 'far from ideal'.

He said: "I've tried to be as fair as I can with the players and made them decent offers taking into account the current climate of football.

"They have got to be realistic, because believe me there are clubs releasing players and not going to replace them.

"Teams who are releasing players are going to go on to have smaller squads next year and you know they're only going to get what the market value is.

"They are good lads, but I can't pay them over the odds because I've got to do a job for Colchester United.

"All the players know who are getting contracts, and we are in negotiations with those players, and when there is something to announce I'll announce it."

Parkinson admitted the situation regarding the large number of players out of contract is far from ideal.

"I've come into a situation where the club has given the players short-term contracts and it means a lot of players come out of contract together.

"If the club wants to move forward then that is something we need to resolve.

"You can't come to the end of the season and have 14 out of 21 players hanging on a thread waiting to know what is going to happen when they have mortgages and kids.

"You're not going to get the best out of those players in those circumstances."

Published Monday, April 28, 2003

Brought to you by the Evening Gazette