Peter Jackson wishes he could have culled more of City’s misfiring squad after sending ten through the Valley Parade exit door.

Omar Daley, Gareth Evans, Jon Worthington and Shane Duff were all released yesterday as well as keeper Lenny Pidgeley, Chib Chilaka and four younger pros. Only Luke Dean – who has been offered a one-year deal – survived the axe, though City have handed first contracts to teenagers Dominic Rowe, Alex Flett, Darren Stephenson and Adam Robinson.

Jackson has made it clear to the remaining 13 senior players that nobody is safe and the club will listen to any offers. Tommy Doherty’s stay ended by mutual consent last week.

The interim boss said: “It’s been the club’s poorest season since 1966 so it needed a shake-up. The players have all underachieved so they should look at themselves and say this has not come as a surprise.

“It’s a big clear-out and there would have been more on that list if I could have done so.

“If anybody approaches us in terms of making a bid for any of the players and it’s right for the football club, I won’t stand in their way."

Read the full story in today's Telegraph & Argus