David Prutton does not feel Leeds United shipping out a whole host of underperforming stars in the summer transfer window will be as difficult as suggested.
The Whites brought in a large number of players last summer and handed out lengthy contracts in a departure from the pattern under previous owner Massimo Cellino.
With Leeds having slumped to 13th in the Championship this season and few players having impressed, there are calls for a big overhaul in the squad.
It has been suggested that with players on long and lucrative contracts, they may dig in their heels and refuse to move if they cannot command the same terms elsewhere – but former Leeds man Prutton does not see it that way.
The ex-midfielder wrote in his column for the Yorkshire Evening Post: "Okay, you can draw in a wage but the longer you’re idle the less of a commodity you are. The less people remember you.
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"One thing you can be certain of is that you’ll need the money you’re earning because kicking your heels does nothing for your career.
"That will be the mentality of the majority of the players who Leeds try to move on before next season.
"It’ll be tough for some of them to take because when you think about the number of long contracts that were handed out this season it seems pretty obvious that Leeds felt this squad had long-term potential but I don’t see a clear-out being a massive challenge.
"Yes, players are owed money and that will need to be dealt with but they’ll be honest enough to realise that they’ve put themselves in the firing line.
"You can’t be mediocre at Leeds. Not unless Leeds actually want to be mediocre", Prutton added.
Leeds have already been linked with a number of potential signings for the summer transfer window, but it remains to be seen if the Whites want to trim their squad first before bringing in new additions.
