Swansea City Suspend Contract Talks

Swansea City chairman Huw Jenkins says the club have suspended contract talks so the players can concentrate on their football.

Darren Pratley has refused to sign a new contract before his current one expires in June and talks with defender Ashley Williams also broke down, but his deal doesn't expire until 2013.

Jenkins said:

'It is just a common sense approach to take pressure off the players,'

'What we're trying to do is clarify this so we can look forward and be fully focused on what lies ahead for the club over the next few months.

'It's trying to put everybody's mind clear, the media in particular, that there's no need to look to ask questions and put any pressure on our players to make statements about their contract situation.

'It follows on from Darren Pratley [who put talks on hold last August] in the last few months in which we know full well that... that's been shelved until the end of the season.

'And to be fair to Darren, he's been fantastic on the field and we want that to continue.

'We want every player to be fully focused and doing their best for the team and see where we get to at the end of the season.'

Jenkins also said that keeping a control on finances is a first priority:

'I think controlling our finances and keeping the club on an even keel is the first priority,'

'But I think the fact we want everyone in club to be fully focused on what's in front of us over the next few months and the challenge we face is far more important to us [than contracts].

'We feel at this point in time, it's the right thing to do and make sure everybody's aware of it.

'We've proved over the last eight to 10 years we've been involved in the club is making sure we do first and foremost everything right for the club and that's what we'll always try and continue to do.

'We have to carry on with the same policies that we have done.'

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