Wolves stand firm on contract talks

Wolves chief executive Jez Moxey has refused to budge over the contract controversy which is causing discontent at Molineux.

Moxey is adamant he will not begin negotiations on new deals until the club’s fate is decided.

That leaves 12 players unsure of their futures – and resulted in defender Paul Butler accusing Wolves chiefs of “not giving a damn.”

Alex Rae and Steffen Iversen are among other senior players whose current contracts run out this summer.

But in a response on the club’s official website, wolves.co.uk, Moxey insisted that while he had sympathy for the players’ plight he would not buckle under their pressure.

Moxey said: “We have already stated publicly – and to the players – that we will not begin contract negotiations until our divisional status has been confirmed.

“I appreciate the players’ position and in many respects I have sympathy with it. However we are not the only club to have such a policy.

“It is difficult to negotiate new contracts when the club’s future is undecided and we will therefore address the issue at the end of the season.”

However the controversy has hardly helped Wolves who slipped back to the bottom of the table after Leeds’ victory over Manchester City on Monday night.

And they are attempting to prepare for a daunting trip to Chelsea this weekend.

Doubts now swirl over the futures of some of their biggest names with Rae in particular attracting interest from a number of clubs, including Rangers.

Butler said yesterday: “We go into work each day trying to stay positive, wanting to be upbeat and knowing we are in the fight of our lives.

“But all the time you’re wondering if the club gives a damn about you.”