Lawrence's wage warning

Gareth Whalley reportedly reacted angrily to being dropped

Cardiff City manager Lennie Lawrence says his players should be paid less wages and bonuses.

"There's been a culture here that people get very well paid, and I think it's about time that culture changed," Lawrence told BBC Wales Sport

"We've been too benevolent as a club financially and I think it's about time it changed."

Gareth Whalley was left out of the side on Saturday, but will collect a £50,000 bonus if he plays again this season.

The midfielder had played the previous 10 Bluebirds games and would have reached the magic 23 game mark - which entitles Cardiff players to a bonus - at Preston had he been selected.

Lawrence stressed his decision to drop Whalley was not based on financial motives and made it clear the 30-year-old could yet play a part in the remaining two Division One games.

But the manager's strong words forcefully echo his previous sentiments that Cardiff are facing up to a harsher financial climate.

The club is already £21m in debt and need to raise £40m to fund a proposed new 30,000-seater stadium.

Meanwhile, Lawrence has agreed to give a two-week trial to Welsh-born midfielder Phil Evans.

The 23-year-old has been starring in the South African Premier League for Supersport United, who want him to sign an extension to his contract which has eight months to run.