Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has urged his players to stay professional for the rest of this season, regardless of their contract status.
A host of Saints players are in talks with the club over extending their current contracts, including Ryan Bertrand and Danny Ings.
Asked if contract talks were distracting any of his players, Hasenhuttl told the Daily Echo: "For the FA Cup semi-final I think this cannot be a topic because it was a big chance for everybody. I could not see, especially against the ball, that they were not investing a lot.
"But for the rest of the season, contract talks are always part of our business and a professional player cannot be affected by that.
"If it is like this then he should think himself about how professional he is. We have the same problems as many other clubs also have.
"We are not the only club who has players that are running out of contract and have offers maybe from other clubs.
"But the best way to make the step forward as a player is to perform well. There is no alternative other than to do this.
"It never helps if you are running out contract, having one or two years left when you are not performing well. It never helps anybody."
