Richard Butcher has not accepted Imps' pay-off offer

Out-of-favour Richard Butcher is sitting tight on his Lincoln City contract, despite being offered a deal to leave the Imps.

Depleted City, who are without three key players – Nathan Baker, Chris Herd and Adam Watts – travel to Chesterfield today (3pm) in desperate need of defensive cover, with only three fit central defenders.

However, manager Chris Sutton is unlikely to conduct much business when the loan window re-opens next week, especially while players such as Butcher (pictured main) and youngster Sam Clucas are still on the books.

The pair, both signed by Peter Jackson in the summer, have been presented with offers to settle their contracts but they have resisted so far.

Butcher, 29, has only made five appearances for the Imps since Sutton's arrival and has not played for the first team since City's 2-0 defeat at Rotherham on November 24.

"We have certainly made offers to both players," said Sutton.

"They are decent offers but Richard Butcher is a problem, because of his wages.

"He does not seem overly keen on moving on in any shape or form which is his right.

"However, if I was him, I would want to go out and play football but he does not seem to want to do that at the moment."

To read more of this story, and for Chris Sutton's exclusive "Sutton Speaks" column, buy today's Lincolnshire Echo.