Blues manager Paul Lambert believes players will in for a rude awakening this summer when the impact of the League One salary cap begins to have a greater effect on wages.

The cap was introduced last August meaning clubs in the third tier are limited to a wage bill of £2.5 million for their senior players, those aged over 21.

This season their squad of senior players has been limited to 22 but from next year it will be down to 20.

Contracts signed prior to the introduction of the cap will continue to be treated at a lower level, as they have been this season, as if they worth £113,000 per annum, although at a higher figure of £125,000 in 2021/22.

However, with fewer players whose deals were agreed prior to last summer, the Blues - assuming they’re still in League One - will have limited cash to put towards new terms for squad members who are out of contract at the end of this season or any close season senior signings.

The Blues have 26 players out of contract this summer, 18 of them who fit in the senior player bracket.

Skipper Luke Chambers heads the list, joined by Cole Skuse, Stephen Ward, Emyr Huws, Freddie Sears, Kayden Jackson, Teddy Bishop, Alan Judge, Toto Nsiala, Janoi Donacien, James Wilson, Gwion Edwards, Aaron Drinan, Tristan Nydam, Barry Cotter, Ben Morris, Ben Folami and Harry Wright.

Town have previously confirmed they have an option to keep Skuse, Ward, Sears, Bishop, Judge, Nsiala, Donacien, Wilson, Nydam, Morris and Folami for a further season should they choose to do so.

Among those under-21, whose contracts don’t count towards the salary cap, Idris El Mizouni, Liam Gibbs, Bailey Clements, Levi Andoh, Adam Przybek, Bert White, Kai Brown, Zak Brown and Tommy Hughes all have deals which are coming to an end, although with the club having an option to keep them all aside from Gibbs for a further year.

As previously reported, Town have offered a new extended contract to Gibbs and will almost certainly look to do the same with El Mizouni among others.

Town took up the additional year’s option on Gwion Edwards’s current contract in May - as they did with young keeper Harry Wright - meaning the winger will be out of contract come the end of the campaign and speaking on Tuesday the Welshman said that as yet there have been no talks regarding a new deal.

In the circumstances, with the Blues still eyeing a return to the Championship and the general uncertainty surrounding football finance, that's hardly surprising.

Asked about that situation and the potential effect of the salary cap going forward, Lambert said: “I think this pandemic has just ripped the backside out of everything. Salary cap, players will be in a for a really rude awakening with what happens because the money’s not going to be there anymore. I think everybody’s going to have to get their heads round that.

“I’m not sure it’s sunk in yet because nobody’s been through it. It’s a really unfortunate thing, this salary cap.

“Life’s unfortunate at the minute with what’s going on, I guess that’s the way of the world, the finances aren’t going to be the same, that’s 100 per cent, that’s for sure.”

Lambert knows that promotion to the Championship would wipe away those issues among others and insists that the Blues are still in the running, despite currently sitting in 10th.

“That would solve so many problems, without a shadow of a doubt that would solve so many problems,” he said.

“There’s still more than halfway to go, there’s a helluva lot of football to be played, there are going to be a lot of twists and turns and we have to put a run on where we’re always going to be always going to be round about that mark to get out of the league.

“It’s not given, you have to work your backside off to get into that. But the salary cap, it certainly hinders the bigger clubs [in League One].”

Photo: Matchday Images

Carberry added 13:33 - Jan 29 Makes your job harder PR Paul, as if it wasn't already hard enough.
4

MickMillsTash added 13:39 - Jan 29 Need a manager who knows the lower leagues inside out and can pick up some bargains. LAMBERT OUT
4

carlisleaway added 13:42 - Jan 29 Think Lambert is in for a rude weakening when he eventually get his P45, but unlike others no doubt he will be paid nicely as his contract will have been broken.
2

BettyBlue added 13:44 - Jan 29 Fortunately for you only bags of cash await....
0

DurhamTownFan added 13:58 - Jan 29 Millstash: that's what Hurst tried to do (minus the bargain bit) and it didn't go too well did it..!?
6

davetheblue added 14:01 - Jan 29 Lamberts wage should be salary capped that's for sure
5

jdtractor96 added 14:02 - Jan 29 Basically we're f#cked unless we miraculously gain promotion. Sack Lambert now and we have a slim chance...
12

MVBlue added 14:07 - Jan 29 I would assume we will be in League One. A once proud club run by an ex-Norwich manager who has not turned the proud club around. For Gods sake Lambert get the team scoring goals.
1

Marshalls_Mullet added 14:14 - Jan 29 The salary cap is a very good thing for football overall. Players in L1 do not need to be earning £125k. The clubs all make losses, and the level of football is pretty poor.
19

RobITFC added 14:17 - Jan 29 “I'm not sure it's sunk in yet because nobody's been through it. It's a really unfortunate thing, this salary cap." REALLY ? time to wake up and start winning then.!!
4

Cakeman added 14:31 - Jan 29 It should be a perfect opportunity to ship out several players. Cannot see that happening though as a few of them are awaiting delivery of slippers and a smoking jacket, given that their feet are well and truly under the Manager's table!
8

tetchris added 14:36 - Jan 29 I bet his salary won't be affected
0

SouperJim added 14:47 - Jan 29 I'm sure Evans is absolutely devastated that our wage bill will go down to £2.5 million. Fortunately the highly competent manager he gave a 5 year deal to will have us out of this division at a canter, so we'll be back up to the Championship where Evans can resume backing us at the level needed, just like he did when McCarthy had a realistic chance of winning promotion to the Premier League.

7

timkatieadamitfc added 14:58 - Jan 29 Think this salary cap is disgusting, unfair and wrong on so many levels 1/ there a city traders who wouldn't get out of bed for £125k 2/ if an owner wants to pay over the top on contracts for players then that should be his choice 3/ can you imagine if they tried to do this in the championship 4/ CAN YOU IMAGINE IF THEY TRIED TO DO THIS IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE - how many lawsuits???? 5/ players careers can be short and they are being denied a chance to earn money I'm just amazed chairmen from bigger clubs in this division have accepted this to happen without so much as whimper. THIS IS NOT GOING TO HELP IPSWICH IN THE LONG RUN, IN FACT IF WE DONT GET OUT OF THIS DIVISION SOON IT WILL GO MASSIVELY AGAINST US

-6

smithy0981 added 15:12 - Jan 29 The club is f**ked, there will be no way back after this season. Lambert needs to go right now! But he won't because Evans does not care about this club or the fans
13

Kirbmeister added 15:14 - Jan 29 Some still talk of possible promotion. We've got no chance.
9

itfcjoe added 15:20 - Jan 29 So between 22 players they have a maximum wage of £2.5m whilst Lambert earns £550k a year - mental
7

grow_our_own added 15:34 - Jan 29 This is the main reason Lambert should be sacked. Promotion this season is essential. Even the playoffs isn't good enough. This squad is too good for its success to be subject to the lottery of a knockout competition. Automatic promotion this season was the minimum and we now have a 1% chance: http://www.sportsclubstats.com/England/LeagueOne.html It ain't going to happen. Lambert OUT!

11

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 15:37 - Jan 29 It would be a damn sight better if the Premier League players had a rude awakening, but that isn't likely to happen.
12

buzbyblue added 15:54 - Jan 29 Well Shambert I'll help you out, the following can all be told thanks for the memories but your services are no longer required: Luke Chambers Cole Skuse Stephen Ward Emyr Huws Freddie Sears Alan Judge Toto Nsiala Barry Cotter Harry Wright. That should free up quite abit for hopefully a new manager after you finally Foxtrot Oscar!
6

therein61 added 16:12 - Jan 29 I really hope you fat contract states you take one hell of an income drop when you keep us in div1
3

Len_Brennan added 16:32 - Jan 29 If Evans had sacked him 2 (+) months ago, we'd be far less worried about the consequences of this now.
4

Skip73 added 16:32 - Jan 29 In another statement today, he says he isnt writing off automatic promotion, yet here he is saying, WHEN the salary cap comes in, not IF. Contradicting himself if you ask me.
1

dirtydingusmagee added 16:35 - Jan 29 if as i believe will be the case we are still in Lge 1 next season get shot of all 18 and some more , They have had a chance to prove themselves and along with Lambert have come up short. May as well get some kids or lower [even lower] lge players in who have a desire to go further. At present the squad /team basically concists of semi retired , should be retired and serial sicknotes, hardly promotion material .

9

Dmodeboy added 17:36 - Jan 29 Yeah and because of you it'll become a reality as we have no chance of going up with you as manager. Brilliant! The club has no ambition right now and are sleepwalking again. I want my club back
2

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