Time pressing as Tigers attempt to tie down key players

The Tigers have one of the highest wage bills in the Championship due to still having players on the books who joined during the club’s two-year stay in the Premier League.

Big earners Seyi Olofinjana and Paul McShane are among those whose contracts run out next season along with Jay Simpson, who was City’s first signing following relegation from the top-flight after the then Arsenal forward rejected the advances of Leeds United to move to the East Riding.

Hull manager Bruce said: “I have got a meeting with the owners next week and we have got 15 people out of contract in less than 12 months’ time. And that is mind-blowing.

“There is going to be a lot of work needed to be done over the next six to nine months. In management you need to be prepared and it is not healthy when you have so many in their last year.

“There are some who have been on Premier League money. We know who they are, and we will have to sit down with the owners and see where we go.

“There are a lot of things you need to factor in. The Financial Fair Play comes into it, what league we are going to be in as well. All of these things need to be considered.

“We will start putting things into motion soon but the last thing you want to see is your best players leaving for free. We want to tie those up as quickly as we possibly can.

“The big thing will be to speak with the owners about budgets and where we are next year. But it is very difficult to plan ahead.

“If you really want to keep someone, you would want them to be tied up before Christmas. So, we will make sure we sit down and make plans.”

Others whose current deals are set to run out come the end of the season include Andy Dawson, Liam Rosenior and Paul McKenna.

City have a firm idea as to who from the list of 15 players that they want to tie down as early as possible. Simpson’s form this season, for instance, means he will be in demand from other clubs should he become available.

The 23-year-old has netted five goals already this term and Bruce said: “I would love to turn round and say it is me (who has turned Simpson’s form round) but the cynic inside of me thinks it might have something to do with him being out of contract in six months.

“Is he better hungry to get that contract? Who knows.

“A few of them who are into the final year of their deals have got to be playing for a contract because there’s a cold wind that blows over the Championship.

“It is not like the Premier League. There is a bit of a reality that has set in.

“I saw a list last week with 400 players who are still not fixed up with clubs from last year. That is scary.

“The ones who are out of contract, Jay Simpson in particular, have made me sit up and take note.

“Five goals in 10 games is a very good return but he has got to keep those standards up.”