Watford are hoping Jobi McAnuff will stay at the club despite planning to offer him a new contract on less money.

The Watford Observer understands McAnuff will be offered a new deal on less money but that the winger would be reimbursed the lost income should the Hornets gain promotion.

McAnuff, 27, is already one of the club’s highest earners but we understand his current contract, which runs out next year, entitles him to a pay rise next season.

Watford have needed to drastically reduce their wage bill due to the loss of the Premier League parachute payments this summer and have seen a number of players loaned out and sold this season.

Manager Brendan Rodgers said: “Jobi has a year left on his contract and it is one where the club will try and have talks with him and his advisor to try and secure him, but obviously both parties will have to work closely because of our financial situation.

“There is no doubt the club want to keep him.”

McAnuff’s advisor Tony Finnigan would not comment on the specifics of any proposed deal but confirmed he had meetings with the head of player recruitment John Stephenson over starting contract negotiations when he returns next week.

On the prospect of McAnuff agreeing to sign for less money, Finnigan said: “My job is not to tell people what to do or to reduce their money. If that was offered then it is down to Jobi to make that decision.”

However, Finnigan says any proposed contract would be scuppered should Rodgers depart.

He said: “If Brendan leaves then Jobi isn’t staying here beyond the year. If Brendan leaves there is no point [in him staying].”

Finnigan is also an advisor to Nathan Ellington.

Derby County signed Ellington on loan at the beginning of this season for £1.5m with the view to making the move permanent on June 30 for a minimal fee.

However, Rams boss Nigel Clough says he does not want to sign the striker and Rodgers does not see him as part of his plans either.

Finnigan confirmed Ellington has two years left on his contract and that he would be returning to Vicarage Road should the two clubs fail to come to an agreement.

Finnigan said: “The player [Ellington] is disappointed to hear that [Rodgers does not want him] but he is not the only player at a club under contract who is not fancied by his manager. There are hundreds of players who are not wanted.”

He added: “If Brendan does not fancy him then fine, no problem. Something has to happen either now or in the future as he is contracted there.”

Rodgers said: “The club will need to ensure that his football is elsewhere. Apparently there are one or two offers on the table for Nathan so his future will lie elsewhere.

“I have never considered him in my plans because he was away and it was likely he would come off our wage bill and structure.

“If he does come back I will do what I always do, I will treat him with respect.”

The Watford boss added: “I am not the old style manager who will just send him running around the training pitch.”