Andy Myers and Aidan Davison head the list of players being pushed out the City exit door.

Gus Uhlenbeek will also be on his way after rejecting a new one-year deal.

But the club hope to persuade Claus Jorgensen to stay on and have not given up on Peter Atherton, even though they have not yet made him an offer.

Five senior players are being released after Sunday's final game against Portsmouth. Myers, who will relinquish his player of the year award tonight, Davison, Robert Molenaar, Juanjo and Gary Walsh will all be leaving the club.

Youngsters Andy Lee, Robert Morgan, Mark Danks and Craig Fishlock have gone as well as Icelandic keeper Stefan Magnusson.

Jorgensen is not included in the mass clear-out and has received a new offer, although City could face a fight for his services following his goal-scoring exploits since Christmas.

The club also want to keep Paul Reid, currently injured with a broken ankle, and new boy Frazer McHugh.

Boss Nicky Law said: "The number of players we are releasing further demonstrates the financial wind of change that is blowing through football and my desire to reduce the average age of the squad for next season.

"The experienced players who remain at the club will have the additional responsibility of helping develop the younger players who are the long-term future.

"Once we know whether the offers made are acceptable to the players, we can then continue and finalise the search for players to form next year's squad within the budget the board has made available to me.

"I would like to thank all the players for their efforts this season."

Under new guidelines, wages will be capped at an average £85,000 a year or £1,500 a week. It is a huge drop for players whose pay levels were set during the time in the Premiership.

Atherton, the third highest earner on around £12,000-a-week, would be faced with one of the largest cuts if he stayed. City will allow him to look for other offers but have left the door open to return if a suitable figure can be reached.

Myers, Davison and Molenaar all played in the 3-0 defeat at Sheffield United on Tuesday, City's fifth loss in six games.

Injury-hit Walsh recently underwent a further operation on his knee. The former Manchester United keeper, a key member of the 1999 promotion side, made his last appearance at Stoke in August.

Juanjo has failed to nail down a regular place since being signed by Jim Jefferies in October 2001.

l City reserves lost 3-1 at home to Bolton. Jay Birch, on trial from Nottingham Forest, scored their goal.