BARNSLEY manager Simon Davey has warned his players that improving the squad is more important than improving their bank balances.
Davey has already told five players – strikers Istvan Ferenczi and Kim Christensen, midfielders Sam Togwell and Andy Johnson and defender Paul Reid – that they can leave the club this summer to free up money for new signings. Loan signing Daniel Nard
iello has also returned to QPR after failing to earn a permanent deal.
The thorny issue of captain Brian Howard's future remains unresolved, however, and is likely to shape Davey's spending plans.
Howard, who played such a key role in the club's march to the FA Cup semi-finals this season, is under contract for another season but wants to play in the Premier League as soon as possible.
As yet, Barnsley have yet to receive any offers for the highly-rated midfielder and Davey would prefer the player to stay.
Barnsley plan to offer the 25-year-old a new deal but, if that is rejected, may opt instead to cash in before losing out on any transfer fee when his contract expires.
That would give Davey more money to spend in the transfer market but also create an urgent need for a midfield replacement.
Davey said: "Brian is an ambitious player but we have not had any formal enquiries. Who knows what will happen – and sometimes people offer money that you cannot refuse.
"You always want to keep your best players and to have a midfielder who has chipped in with 14 goals means I would be stupid if I said I wanted Brian to move on.
"Everything is hypothetical because we have not had that telephone call. Until we do, we will plan for next season with Brian."
Commenting on his spending budget, Davey added: "We want to enhance the squad by bringing in better players, not just enhance the bank balance of the ones we already have. That is the balancing act I have this summer.
"It has to be a bit of a juggle because we have to make sure that we do not spend our budget on the players we have here already."
Davey is still in the dark about the future of Welsh international defender Lewin Nyatanga who spent the majority of the season on loan from Derby County but is now back with the relegated club.
"To be honest I am not too sure about Lewin at the moment. The deal is still there with Derby but there are ways to get out of it from both sides and at the end of the day it will come down to what the player wants to do," he said.
Sheffield United manager Kevin Blackwell, meanwhile, has dismissed reports that he would like to sign both Howard and Derby County striker Rob Earnshaw.
Rotherham United have been boosted by news that six of the club's existing players have agreed to sign new deals.
Defender Ian Sharps and goalkeeper Andy Warrington and youngsters Jamie Green, Marc Newsham, Jamie Yates and Ryan Taylor have all extended their stays with the League Two club.
Fixtures (7.45 unless stated)
Under-21 Friendly Match: Wales v England (at Racecourse Ground) (7.30).
Coca-Cola League One Play-Offs Semi-final 2nd leg: Carlisle v Leeds United.
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