PAUL SHAW has echoed the mood of uncertainty among Gillingham’s players over the club’s financial problems by admitting that he may have to leave the club to get a contract for next season.

Shaw, among the club’s highest paid players, is still awaiting a new contract offer before his existing agreement expires next summer.

Chairman Paul Scally has said that players, like Shaw, whose contracts were signed before the collapse of ITV Digital, may have to be sacrificed.

Shaw, who is married with a young family, said: “I’ve a family to look after and I’ve got to make sure I get a contract at the end of the season, whether it’s here or somewhere else.

“It’s disappointing but I realise that the club’s in trouble but I don’t want it to be lingering and nothing happens then come June I’m one of 400 players out of contract.”

Providing he escapes the flu bug that he been rampant in the dressing room, Shaw will be in the side for the second of three consecutive home games when Crewe visit Priestfield on Saturday.

Player-manager Andy Hessenthaler is hoping centre-back Barry Ashby and wing-back John Hills recover from flu to help increase his selection options.

Chris Hope’s run of 176 consecutive appearances ends with his suspension on Saturday. With fellow centre-back Ian Cox also suspended, the Gills boss could hand a debut to youngster Dean Beckwith who recently returned to the club after a spell on loan with Conference club Dagenham and Redbridge as Leon Johnson (foot) and Mark Saunders (flu) could be missing.

Strikers Marlon King, Rod Wallace and Kevin James are also suffering from flu and Mamady Sidibe’s international call-up for Mali in their forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against Guinea and Morocco will also cause big problems in future weeks.

He leaves immediately after Saturday’s match and will be in international action on November 14 and 19.