MARK Yeates is on his way out of Valley Parade, Phil Parkinson today revealed.
The Irishman has been informed that he will not be getting another contract.
Yeates made 81 appearances in two seasons at Valley Parade – but 40 of those were from the bench.
He scored five of his seven City goals last term, including a stunning late winner at Preston and most memorably the killer fourth that put the seal on the FA Cup win over Chelsea.
The image of Yeates swapping a one-two in the box with Jon Stead, clipping the ball past Petr Cech and then pointing to the skies in celebration was an iconic moment in front of the 6,000 delirious away fans.
But like Andy Halliday, another of the Stamford Bridge goal-scorers has now gone.
Parkinson said: “I sat down with Julian (Rhodes) at the end of last week after the takeover didn’t happen.
“We budgeted going forward and the players we want looking at the squad. We decided we couldn’t offer Yeatesy a contract.
“I thought he did well in his time for us, especially last year.
“He had to have the op to get his shoulder sorted. But he’s always worked hard on the training ground and never moaned about it.”
After an unconvincing opening year following his arrival from Watford, Yeates re-emerged as an influential figure during the first half of his second campaign.
“The first season was hard, I’m not going to lie,” he said at the time. “But it’s easy to throw the towel in and blame others when you go through a sticky patch.
“I came back determined and I think people saw the difference in me straight away. I’m going into every game with the sole intention of working my socks off.”
Unfortunately, his momentum was hit with a knee injury at Fleetwood on Boxing Day and he struggled to get back into the side from that point.
Yeates started only eight games after the turn of the year, the last one in the 6-0 home thrashing by champions Bristol City.
The on-off shoulder problem he had been trying to manage grew progressively worse, popping out on a couple of occasions during games.
He was forced to go under the knife for corrective surgery once the season finished.
Parkinson also confirmed that negotiations are ongoing with Andrew Davies and Jon Stead.
The City boss had a “good chat” with Davies on Saturday before the centre half went off on holiday.
He has also spoken to Stead again and more talks between Rhodes and the striker’s agent are pencilled in for this week.
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