Cranie understands ‘uncertainty’ over contract situation is hard for Hatters players

Hatters defender Martin Cranie is well aware there is plenty of uncertainty within the Town squad and football in general, surrounding players contracts during the coronavirus pandemic.

With the season currently postponed indefinitely, if it does get back up and running, it is expected to stretch into June and July, by which time a number of Luton’s players would be out of contract, with striker Danny Hylton is one of the most high profile examples, while Glen Rea’s deal is also expected to be up.

There are reports that Fifa are drawing up plans to extend contracts until the end of a delayed season and alter transfer window dates as well, although these are not set in stone yet.

Cranie himself has some security, but knows it’s tough for those who don’t, saying: “I’m at Luton again next year so it’s a bit different for me to the lads who will be out of contact this summer.

“I haven’t really spoken to any of them about it because I don’t think they know where they stand at the minute, if the season does extend past when the contract runs out.

“That’s going to be interesting to see what clubs can do with that.

“I’m not actually sure who at the club is out of contract this summer, but I know there are a few of them, so that’ll definitely be in their minds, that uncertainty.

“No-one knows where they stand at the minute, what the rules are regarding that, how it’s going to play out, so everything’s going to be down to when it kicks off again.

“I’m not sure what the rules are, so it’s just a case of waiting to see what they can do about it.”

Despite being left in a state of limbo as to when they can return to their jobs, Cranie felt the Hatters players were helping each other through these difficult times.

He said: “Everyone’s in good spirits. We have a chat, we have a laugh.

“I’m good mates with Collo (James Collins) so I’ve been on the phone to him most days anyway, he FaceTime’s me most days.

“I’ve spoken to everyone, we’ve got a group so we’re all in contact, but no-one really knows what’s going on at the minute, we’re all sort of guessing and going on what the government are saying.

“It’s normally Pelly (who is the loudest) in the group, but when someone hears something about when the season might start, the lads will put it up and have a read.

“But as I said, we’re all just guessing at the minute, just waiting until it’s safe for everyone as no-one’s going to be going back until we can guarantee that the virus calms down and stops, so it’s just waiting for that now.

“It’s strange. One day you see them (team-mates) every day, but at the minute we’ve gone two or three weeks without seeing them, which would normally happen in the summer.

“But we also know we’ve got to go back at some point. The season hasn’t finished, so we’re going to see each other.

“I don’t know when yet, but we will.”

However, despite wanting to return to some sense of normality, Cranie reiterated the government instructions that everyone stays at home during the lockdown.

He added: “Listening to the news and reading the news, you can just see how serious it is.

"I think everyone has got to try and abide by these guidelines as much as possible, just by staying in and not going out in groups.

“The sooner we can start slowing the rate of infection and helping the hospitals and the NHS, who have been brilliant, the sooner we can get back to normal life.

“So if everyone can just stay at home and do the right things, I’m sure we’ll turn it around.”