Leeds United boss Heckingbottom discusses possibility of summer exodus

Pablo Hernandez put an end to his contract saga earlier this week after he penned a new two-year deal at the club and was due to be the only senior squad member out of contract this summer but after the recent emergence of full-back Tom Pearce the 20-year-old joined that list.

Negotiations are under way with Pearce but Heckingbottom, speaking ahead of Saturday's trip to Norwich, revealed it would be difficult to have a major overhaul of his squad given the number of players on long-term deals.

"No, simply because everyone is under contract," replied the Leeds boss when asked if there was going to be a mass exodus at Thorp Arch this summer.

"Your hands are tied to a certain extent. We'll have a good chat with all the decision makers at the club. A good chat about how we want to do it, what an ideal situation would be and then try and make it happen.

"There's lots of barriers in your way so you just get egg on your face if you just sit here and say this is how we're going to do it. You can have a plan and try your best to make it happen but some things can prove more difficult."