Contract talks set for this week as Dons discuss the future of FOURTEEN players

MK Dons will enter contract talks with some of the 14 players who are free to leave the club in a matter of weeks.

The coronavirus pandemic forced the 2019/20 season to be finally curtailed on Tuesday. While the start date for the 2020/21 season is yet to be established, the matter of players out of contract now takes centre stage as clubs look to build squads for the new campaign.

Dons have 14 players out of contract at the end of this month, as well as three loan players returning to their parent clubs. Executive Director Andrew Cullen says discussions with the players out of contract will happen this week, while the recruitment process has been ongoing throughout the lockdown period.

"We've got 14 players out of contract, and the retained list comes out on June 23," he said. "We have to make sure we do that in the most appropriate manner for the players. On June 23, we can start to talk to potential replacements.

"It will be a much leaner squad for next season, as it will be for most clubs. So we have to look very carefully at the recruitment. Loans were not a part of our process last season but they very much will be for next season. We are already having conversations with clubs about who might be available."