Contract situation to be sorted out this week for 10 players

[Kowalski]

Dons get down to business on contracts

 

By Paul Smith

 

Published: 15/04/2008

 

The future of Aberdeen’s 10 on-loan and out-of-contract players will be clarified this week. From today the Dons will hold further talks with the players who are free to leave the club at the end of the season.

 

Announcements are imminent as the rebuilding work gathers pace.

 

Top of the agenda are Barry Nicholson and Lee Miller, who have both stalled on contract offers. Steve Lovell, Derek Soutar, Richie Byrne and Stuart Duff are the others who fall out of contract next month.

 

The loan deals for Josh Walker, Dave Bus, Sone Aluko and Alan Maybury all expire at the same time.

 

Dons manager Jimmy Calderwood is promising movement this week after months of delays.

 

He said: “We have to talk to the players about their futures. We will get it done and see where we stand. There are decisions to be made on the out-of-contract players and discussions to be had about those on loan.

 

“I don’t think it is fair to talk about individuals until we have sat down and discussed it with them.

 

“The more pressing concern is the players who are out of contract. We should be able to give more clarity on it by the end of the week.â€

 

Calderwood has resisted a kneejerk reaction to the disappointment of the weekend result, although the need for fresh impetus at the club has been reinforced.

 

He said: “I have to try to remain calm and objective. As a manager you always look at things and assess them. Performances such as Saturday give food for thought.

 

“There is always the chance for some things to change, although my mind is made up on others.â€

 

Calderwood has stated his willingness to retain Aluko and Walker while he has worked hard in an attempt to keep Miller and Nicholson in the north-east.

 

The remaining six are waiting to discover what next season holds for them, although a decision on Maybury and Duff is likely to be deferred until the remaining SPL matches are played.

 

Calderwood said: “Sone Aluko will go back to Birmingham to do pre-season with them and could be retained by Alex McLeish. Apart from that, a lot depends on what Barry and Lee decide to do. We have to look at our finances and our position at the end of the season.

 

“We will see who we can bring in before we do too much in the other direction. There are a lot of players who want to come and play for Aberdeen but finances and whether we qualify for Europe will have a bearing.â€

 

Jonathan Smith, signed last summer following his release by Wigan, has already been told he will be free to leave the club when his contract expires next month. Dan Smith, who is still under contract next term, is another who has been deemed surplus to requirements.

[TheChimp]

Barry Nicholson 

Lee Miller 

Steve Lovell 

Derek Soutar 

Richie Byrne 

Stuart Duff 

Josh Walker 

Dave Bus  :wave:

Sone Aluko 

Alan Maybury 

 

That's pretty much it, although I can see most of them leaving except Souter, Byrne and Duff.

[Slim]

If Duff is at Pittodrie next season, I won't be unless he's paying to get in like everyone else.

[Superstar Tradesman]

I'm at a loss as to whether Byrne is more of a drain on wages now he's constantly injured or if he's a bigger waste of cash when he is playing?

[El Padre™]

Byrne, Duff and Bus shouldnt even be offered the chance to discuss contracts. These kind of players are the reason we have started to backslide.

[Guest ally s]

 

Keep Maybury.  The rest can fk off.

[SWA]

Jonathan Smith 

 

Fitever happened to that Kurrant bloke?

[manc_don]

Would have liked to have kept Nicholson and Miller, but out of that list, we only need/want Maybury to sign. The rest aren't even worthy of polishing Angus' boots.

[SWA]

Would have liked to have kept Nicholson and Miller, but out of that list, we only need/want Maybury to sign. The rest aren't even worthy of polishing Angus' boots.

 

Aluko?

[jmo]

According to some mates of mine who support St Johnstone, they are interested in a couple of players, including Byrne.

[manc_don]

Aluko?

 

Well I meant more players that are ours or have a more realistic chance (ie Maybury) of being so.

[SWA]

Well I meant more players that are ours or have a more realistic chance (ie Maybury) of being so.

 

Ah, would like to get him back after the summer though.

[manc_don]

Ah, would like to get him back after the summer though.

 

Right enough, I'd love to see Aluko and Walker for another season, but its nigh on improbable.