Barnsley could lose their best players at the end of the season if they don't start contract negotiations now, says manager David Flitcroft.
The club's stance since Flitcroft took over has been that the future of the manager and the players will be discussed at the end of the current campaign when they know what division they will be playing in next season.
But the Reds boss has suggested that that policy could lead to an exodus in the summer and that – whether Barnsley stay up or go down – other clubs are monitoring the star players who have helped the Oakwell club chalk up more wins already this year than they did in the whole of 2012.
"We're going to have to make some decisions pretty quick because this group of players won't be going unnoticed," said the Barnsley manager.
"There are some super players who are out of contract here. If you are a club like Blackburn or Wolves, who have some players earning ten or 12 times more than our players, why wouldn't you go and have a stab at one of our players? That's my worry.
"Our priority is staying up but it would be nice to be able to plan for next season. If I am manager next season, I don't want to be behind the eightball or be struggling because we have not tied people dow "If we don't do something, are this group of players going to stay with us? That's my only fear."
In response, Barnsley director Don Rowing said the club would not begin any contract negotiations until the season ends, citing Football League regulations that say clubs do not have to inform out-of-contact players of their intentions until three weeks after the final game.
Rowing said: "David has made his opinion public but it would be foolish for us to pre-empt anything before we know what division we will be in next season. Any contract negotiations could take our focus away from the relegation fight and jeopardise our chances of survival."
