Phil Parkinson has stressed City are not trying to force Luke O’Brien out of the Valley Parade exit.

The long-serving left back’s proposed move to Exeter has been put on hold but it could be resurrected before the end of the transfer window next Tuesday.

O’Brien flew down to the West Country for talks earlier in the week but no deal was done. It is thought that his move could depend on another player leaving Exeter first.

Parkinson had given the defender permission to meet Grecians boss Paul Tisdale because he could no longer guarantee him regular first-team involvement with City.

But he is more than happy for O’Brien to stay put if the switch to the League One side does not materialise.

Parkinson said: “We’re certainly not trying to push him out the door. He’s expressed a desire to move on and you can’t blame him for that.

“We’d had a few chats about his situation and then Exeter came on wanting to speak to him.

“We were prepared to let him go down there to do that.

“We’ll just see what happens but he will continue to train with us as usual.”

O’Brien started five games in a row earlier this season but lost his place in Novem-ber.

Parkinson has been using the right-footed Marcel Seip in the role.

Should the deal go through, there will be no fee involved, with Exeter expected to take over O’Brien’s contract, which runs out in the summer.