The contract status of every Cardiff City player as 10…

The contract status of every Cardiff City player as 10 key stars enter final year and huge decisions needed

This summer's transfer window was far less frenetic than it was 12 months ago for Cardiff City.

The Bluebirds did their work early, brought in far fewer players than they let go and placed their faith in youth for the coming season.

And if City fans think the squad looks a little threadbare at the minute, well next summer will certainly be busy if the club allow a large proportion of deals to expire.

No fewer than 10 senior first-team stars will see their contracts run out at the end of this season.

As we know, Josh Murphy's deal expires at the end of the season, but he has just agreed to join Preston North End for the entirety of the campaign. In all likelihood, he has kicked a ball for the last time in a Bluebirds shirt, barring a January recall.

Key players such as captain Sean Morrison, his centre-back partner Aden Flint, as well as midfielders Marlon Pack, Will Vaulks and Joe Ralls will all depart unless their deals are renewed throughout the course of the season.

Ciaron Brown has also been offered a new deal, Mick McCarthy confirmed, following summer interest from Neil Warnock up at Middlesbrough. The Northern Ireland international is yet to put pen to paper on improved terms, though, and could yet leave for free next summer.

Goalkeeper Alex Smithies also sees his deal run out next summer, while injury-plagued Lee Tomlin also has less than a year to run now on his contract.

The 10th and final player whose deal runs out is Isaac Vassell. Cardiff will be hoping for some sort of involvement from the striker this term, given the length of his rehabilitation period.

While no discussions have yet taken place regarding offering fresh terms, Mick McCarthy did say those conversations will begin in the new year.

"It's not on the agenda yet, no chance," McCarthy said when asked about whether discussions had taken place.

"We are just into the season.

"They will all be starting come Christmas time, no doubt, the lads will be wanting to know.

"Can I just say something on that? Marlon Pack is out, Flinty is out... Marlon Pack has been magnificent so far and so has Flinty.

"All those lads who are coming out of contract, Will Vaulks, Rallsy, they have all been great.

"We will let it come to Christmas and we will see what happens.

"We are just off the back of a pandemic, we are just getting fans back in. Financially we will be better off, I'm sure, if that continues.

"We can look at it then and see where we are in the league, see what we are doing, all of those things will come into play when it comes to contract negotiations."