I felt sorry for him but Im told he took the news well and Royce had a long chat with him and he understands.

There's no way we're up to cap

I think you,ve got a soft spot spot for Gaskell - SaintsFan similar with Wilkin.

Gaskell has done very well in playing to the best of his capability in an injury ravaged team with is hard thing to do because he's had a fair bit of pressure at times. Like we,ve said before he,s still needs another season of development to improve his game, next season I would expect him to add more muscle, be faster and tactically smarter.

I,m sure Royce has had words of wisdom with him, the only problem for him is if Pryce re signs then he may get limited opportunities and may have to settle for the bench back spot.

once we give new deals to some of the youngest and someone else whos ooc and we bring someone else in we will be

I know the ain't much money left in the pot and I know we only got Flanagan in as a like for like signing.

I also know for a fact that pryce ain't agreed to sign for any other club yet.

Pryce played like a man wanting another contract at the club. I,m sure Royce was chuffed on what Pryce is capable of and what he offers in direction, communication etc. McManus needs to get one of those brown envelopes out.

With Pryce in the side, we are a side genuinely capable of lifting silverware. We look a totally different team with him out there.

If he stays fit for the rest of the year, he's an absolute must for a contract extension.

Royce is on sky text praising Leon.

He's also praising wilkin and jammer.

Wilkin is my new favourite player

Yup. We have had to struggle in the halves for so long now it has been a joy having him on the pitch even just for the short periods he has been there. I hope whatever was bothering him in the first half is not serious and that he has come through his 60 minutes ok. I thought Royce was taking a big risk playing him for so long but hopefully it has not cost us.

At last! You have seen the light!

Let's not go down this road again.

I've always said I liked him but was disappointed in his performances as I knew he could be better.

He's got that aggression back this year and his attacking has gone up a gear. His work rate was never in doubt.

Ditto Leon brings the organisation and leadership we have missed this year?

just his bollocking to Makinson when he scored in the corner for not holding the ball correctly is evidence alone?

I must admit, im 50% less confident for the cup semi now you have Pryce back.

I agree but he can be proud of the job he's done for the team this year. Like any youngster he makes the occasional error but I'd give him 10/10 for every game he's played as he's been asked to step up earlier than expected.

He seems very level headed so can probably apply a reasonable amount of perspective to the situation and knows his time will come.

We have lost Luke Gale to Bradford, I rate Luke but so many of our supporters seem to be saying good riddance? funny how quickly some fans can turn.

Who else is going at the end of the season then? Have I misread this?

Are you alluding to Pryce going or are you saying another after Pryce Graham & Eastmond?

Why get rid of arguably our best player unless we can replace him with someone better? There is nobody with any quality available to replace him, unless we did the unimaginable and paid a transfer which isn't going to happen. Even if he warmed a seat in the doctors office for most of next season it would be better than not having him and being a quality player light, replacing him with a player who isn't even as good as our youngsters.

Keep him fit for the business end of the season and we're laughing.

What if he's asking for more than we're prepared to pay and is asking for a deal that's longer than we're prepared to offer?

That's the question isn't it. What if we don't see him for 3 years because of injury after a few weeks run out. But in the end that could happen to any player and going off recent form, sides seam to be content to pay off long term injured players to make room on the cap.

Saints had a similar quandry with Sculthorpe, he was in and out for a few seasons until in the end he made the decision for the club.

It's a tough call having a good player with a long term injury and only a few weeks will tell the doctors how the injury is going.

If Saints are only prepared to offer one year because he is 29 and has had a bad year with injuries then they are going down the wrong Lee Gilmour route in my opinion. Money wise I have no idea, but I doubt he is commanding any more than he is already on, and as our star player he's bound to be one of our top earners.

I obviously have no idea what the numbers are but the fact remains that we can't replace him like for like, certainly not for next season anyway. So we either have him or we don't, but I feel the club should do everything they can to keep him. If they have to shed the likes of Gardner in order to accommodate him alongside Lance and Boof, then so be it for me.

Apart from these past twelve months or so Pryce has had a good run so he doesn't have the wear and tear on him that the likes of Sculthorpe, Farrell and even Fielden have and he looks athletic enough to be able to go on for a few more years yet too. Three more years though on top dollar? Two maybe and then a possible reduction but three is a big ask when he'll be 30 at the beginning of next year. Are we really prepared to commit to that? One season yes. Two seasons, I'd take that chance but three? On top dollar too? I wouldn't commit us to three years on that basis. He could be done a yearly renewal but I understand why he'd want a firm commitment to three years from a team even if he could probably stretch his career out by going to yearly contracts.

Yeah but he'll be 30 before the start of next year and three years is a big commitment to a player at that age in our sport as it would be in football.

Out of curiosity, do you think or know that Catalans have offered him 3 years? Some people seem to be in the know but I have no idea other than the rumours on here. I would be surprised to be honest, unless they are hoping for a Menzies-esque miracle.

That's the rumour. If you want to get big name players to come to your club you have to pay a little bit more though don't you? It's like Man City when they first got their money and wanted to attract big name players. They had to commit to more than what the market was dictating to attract players e.g. Wayne Bridge four and a half year deal. He's not going to go to Catalans for the same deal he could get here unless the lifestyle options are a significant factor for him.

He's still under 30 though, isn't he?