Watford have opened talks with four players regarding new contracts, including defender Adrian Mariappa.
Mackay looking to resolve futures of several players
Watford have opened talks with four players regarding new contracts at Vicarage Road, including defender Adrian Mariappa.
Skysports.com revealed earlier in the week that Mariappa, who still has 12 months to run on his existing deal, is in line for an extension with the Championship club.
Hornets boss Malky Mackay confirmed discussions have started with Mariappa, while offers are also set to be put to Richard Lee, Liam Henderson and Dale Bennett, with that trio out of contract in the summer.
"We are starting to talk to Aidy, Richard Lee is another one we are just starting to talk to as well," Mackay told the
Watford Observer.
"We have started talking to Liam Henderson and there will be a couple of others as well. There is also Dale Bennett. They are the ones we are in discussions with at the moment."
Adjusting
The likes of John Eustace, Jay DeMerit, Will Hoskins and Jon Harley are also out of contract at the end of the season and talks have yet to start with that quartet.
Mackay was at pains to stress that it does not mean those players are not in his plans for next season, although he suggested they may have to accept a pay cut to stay at Watford.
"Not at all," replied Mackay when asked if the failure to start talks now means those players would be leaving. "It is just this is the time when it is all starting.
"We have got to talk to players and do the best for them and the club and this is now the time when negotiations have started.
"I think you look at the whole of football and right now, I think the amount of people who will be coming out of contracts in the summer and the way clubs are and the way football is at the moment, there is certainly going to be a lot of adjusting going on and not just at our club but a lot of clubs. We won't be any different."
