Nigel Pearson says Tomas Kalas' recent injury record may come into consideration when the time comes to make a decision over his contract.
The central defender is one of 10 first team players whose deals expire next summer alongside Dan Bentley, Han-Noah Massengo, Jay Dasilva, Nahki Wells, Chris Martin, Zak Vyner, Antoine Semenyo, Max O'Leary and Timm Klose. City do have the option to exercise one-year extensions in the contracts of Semenyo, Vyner, O'Leary and Klose.
Kalas, 29, hasn't started in the league since March having sustained a groin and knee injury. After seven months out injured, he made his eagerly-anticipated return to action as a substitute against Millwall and West Brom last month before picking up a calf issue.
He has missed the last five league matches with Pearson suggesting the defender will be back in contention just before Christmas. His return will be a huge boost for City but his task will be to stay fit for the second half of the campaign and lift the Robins clear of the drop zone.
When asked whether his recent injury record will impact talks on his future, Pearson responded: "You'll have to wait and see what happens in the future. Those are factors that do come into consideration of course but again, every player's circumstances are a little bit different.
"Obviously, the financial side plays a huge part of it as well. There is work being done behind the scenes and we've had plenty of discussions with staff in terms of where we go with the squad."
The Czech Republic international became one of the club's highest earners when he joined from Chelsea for a club-record £8million fee in 2019 alongside striker Wells. With the season getting back underway on Saturday at Rotherham, Pearson tasked those players whose deals are expiring to earn new deals.
He added: "This summer there are a lot of contracts that expire so there will essentially be a lot of players who are playing for new contracts which is healthy but there will also be conversations with players when the time is right about maybe a different scenario.
"I'm not going to say anything in the public forum when I've not spoken to players, that's the way we do that. Richard (Gould) will continue to talk with player's representatives and that's how we work."
Pearson also made an admission on Massengo's future and suggested there's a chance he could leave the club next month. The Frenchman hasn't featured in the senior side since the 3-0 defeat to Birmingham at the beginning of October and has instead played a handful of matches for the Under-21s.
The City manager says other players are ahead of him in the pecking order over his contract uncertainty and hasn't ruled him out in featuring for the senior side going forward. However, it could very much be the case that Massengo's future is resolved next month.
He added: "He's never not been involved with the first team. It's just a case of if we've got the right numbers he's not in the position that he was last year.
"His future remains uncertain of course but he's been absolutely no trouble at all. He trains really well and he's a great lad. There's nothing sinister going on, it's just a case of who's available, players who are here for the long haul will probably get the nod ahead of him.
"I trust him in the sense that I know that if he's required, he will do a good job for us. He continues to train very, very well and so he's just being professional about it. He'll never be shunned by us because he's a player who we respect and still need but of course, there is a possibility something might happen in January with him. We'll see."
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