Dave Jones concedes Joe Ledley is right not to decide on his future until the Wales midfielder knows which division Cardiff City will be in next season. The 23-year-old's Bluebirds contract is up in the summer and Championship play-off chasing Cardiff hope they can win promotion into the Premier League.
And Cardiff boss Jones admits: "If I was him, I'd wait until the end of the season to see what happens to us.
"That would've been my stance from the start and I have no problem with that."
The Wales international, who last signed a three-year deal in 2007, has been in contract stalemate with his home-town club for the past season and both parties have rejected deals.
Ledley, who has made 250 appearances for the Welsh club, has been the subject of consistent transfer speculation for the past few seasons and Cardiff have turned down bids from Premier League sides Stoke City, Everton and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Scottish giants Celtic and Rangers are also tracking the 32-times capped Welshman who could leave for free if he joins a 'foreign' club.
But if Ledley moves to another English league side, Cardiff would receive compensation - albeit a minimal sum - under FA rules as the club developed him.
"I've done enough talking with him and Joe will make his mind up when he feels it is right," said Jones.
"If he goes abroad Joe is totally free but if someone else wants him we will have to go to a compensation tribunal - so his future will be decided by him."
Since Ledley's representatives last discussed their players' future with Cardiff chairman Peter Ridsdale, the club's huge debt to Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs has become public knowledge.
Cardiff have been given a 5 May deadline to pay their £1.9 tax bill or face being wound-up in the High Court.
Ledley, who could now sign a pre-contract agreement with a 'foreign' club, and his agent feel his wages should match his standing at the club as he is one of Jones' key players.
But Jones feels the uncertainty surrounding Ledley's future will harm Cardiff's run-in.
"As long as he fulfils his contractual agreement with us and to the best of his ability - and he is doing that - I have no real problems with that," said Jones.
"I'll worry about that at the end of the season.
"We had tried to get him to sign earlier but Joe is looking after himself and I have no problems with that because we all do it anyway.
"Hopefully he makes to decision to stay with us but if not I'm sure people will wish him all the best."
Prior to Cardiff's financial plight being revealed, Ridsdale conceded: "Unless things change, I expect him to be looking for pastures new in June."
Ledley, who helped inspire Cardiff to the 2008 FA Cup final at Wembley, was captain when the Welsh club narrowly missed out on a play-off place last season.
Jones, though, stripped Ledley - who has also been Wales' stand-in skipper - of the Cardiff captaincy last summer due to "speculation and uncertainly surrounding his future."
Ledley has always stated his desire to join former Bluebirds team-mates Aaron Ramsey, Cameron Jerome and Roger Johnson in the top-flight but the Cardiff fan has said he would love to play in the Premier League with the club he has played for since the age of nine.
Cardiff will qualify for the Championship play-offs if they beat Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road on Saturday - and earn the debt-ridden club a shot at promotion to the Premier League.
Source: BBC Sport
Source: BBC Sport