Sheffield United women's players left in the dark over their futures with only TWO squad members under contract and the club yet to inform stars of their salaries ahead of the new season

Several members of Sheffield United’s women’s team have not been told whether they are wanted for the upcoming season, despite the club being due to start pre-season training today.

Mail Sport understands only two members of the squad are still under contract, with several players' deals having expired at the end of the last campaign. 

It is understood the players not currently under contract are yet to hear whether they are being kept on or are free to find new clubs.

When contacted by Mail Sport, Sheffield United said they had taken the decision to delay the start of pre-season due to 'on-going operational challenges', with the intention of starting next week. 

Sources have told Mail Sport that some players have been told they are wanted, but have not received contracts, while others have not had any direct contact from the club since April.

It is also understood that players have not been given an idea of what their salaries may be for next season, if they are kept on, with many facing concerns over mortgage and bill payments. 

Sheffield United are yet to appoint a new permanent manager after Jonathan Morgan was sacked in February for having a relationship with a player while previously coach of Leicester.

Sheffield United’s players endured an extremely difficult and emotional season last term.

The club’s vice-captain Maddy Cusack took her own life in September last year, with head coach Morgan later investigated by the club after the family made an official complaint over his alleged behaviour towards their daughter.

A third-party investigation, conducted on behalf of the Blades, found no evidence of wrongdoing and cleared Morgan to return to work in December.

Mail Sport revealed in January that the Football Association had decided to open their own enquiry into the circumstances around Cusack's death. That investigation remains ongoing.

Morgan was sacked in February, with Sheffield United saying his position had become 'untenable' after new information came to light regarding his conduct before arriving at Bramall Lane.

Luke Turner has been in temporary charge since Morgan’s dismissal, but a permanent boss is yet to be appointed.

The news of uncertainty at the Blades comes after Mail Sport revealed Blackburn Rovers are planning to pay their players just £9,000-a-year for the upcoming season.

The club is understood to have a player budget of £100,000 and will pay their squad the UK minimum wage, which is £11.44 for those aged 21 and over.

It is understood players will operate on contracts of 16 hours per week, with training taking place from Wednesday-Saturday, with games on Sunday’s.

Last week Reading withdrew their women’s team from the Championship due to financial pressures across the club.

There had been fears the club would be scrapped altogether, but they will instead play in the fifth-tier next season.

The Football Association will hand over the running of the top two tiers of women’s football to a new company (NewCo) this season.

The Women’s Championship licence has not yet been approved for the 2024-2025 campaign, but there are a number of proposed changes.

This includes increased contact hours and a minimum number of contracted players per club, but this does not constitute as a full-time set-up.

Licence requirements are minimum standards of professional football and are formulated with clubs to ensure players are supported and protected, with their welfare on and off the pitch being of the utmost priority.

Because the licence requirements are not yet approved, no financial information from clubs has been submitted, but clubs are legislated to pay players national minimum wage.

When the licence for 2024-2025 is confirmed, the league will work collaboratively with clubs on their individual models to fulfil the requirements accordingly.