Cobblers to delay announcing retained list - but will keep out-of-contract players in the loop

Cobblers will delay announcing their retained list until they are given more 'guidance' about how football plans to combat the coronavirus pandemic and whether or not the current season will be finished.

Typically, clubs would release their retained lists in the weeks after the final game of the season but that is currently not possible with matches still suspended due to COVID, although some, including League Two rivals Scunthorpe, have done so.

Cobblers chairman Kelvin Thomas will not follow suit just yet until the government and the EFL provide more clarity.

He said: "We've made a commitment to the players this week that we will let them know as soon as we get some guidance about what's happening with the season and I think they're very grateful for the communication we've given them.

"Some of them are out of contract by the end of this month and normally they would know in the next few weeks whether or not if they're being retained.

"We've been in regular contact with the players about all the issues we're going to face as a club and also the issues they'll face as individuals and players, with or without the club.

"I would hope over the next week, maybe after the Prime Minister's address to the nation, we would have a better idea and we can start making some decisions based on those matters."

Thomas admits out-of-contract players face an uncertain few months with clubs up and down the land seeking to avoid financial ruin.

"It's a very tough time and a challenging time for players because they're not allowed to do for a living and they can't do what they want to do, which is to get back playing football," he added.

"Some of them don't have any work or income after July 31st and they'll then be looking for a new contract at a time when clubs don't even know what's going on.

"It's a tough time for the players but everybody's in the same boat and we're trying to support them through it and we've got to try and get through it together."