Defender Ash Taylor's time at Bradford City looks to be over

The Telegraph & Argus understands it has been made clear that the big centre half has no future at the club.

Mark Hughes signed the 6ft 3in defender last summer after his exit from Kilmarnock – where he played with current City stopper Sam Walker.

But it has become apparent that he no longer featured in Graham Alexander’s plans after finding himself left out following the miserable defeat at Swindon in January.

That was the last of his 17 appearances before a lengthy absence with a calf problem that he reinjured in training.

Taylor is midway through the two-year contract he signed. But his situation is the same as Vadaine Oliver and Timi Odusina, who are also expected to move on because they will not be featuring.

They both finished last season on loan at other clubs.

Alexander confirmed last week that he had given some players an early heads up to start thinking about looking elsewhere.

“I told them that they’d probably have minimal opportunities next season and it’s up to them to deal with that information how they see fit,” he said.

“I didn’t want to get into the situation where we are four or five weeks into pre-season and two or three individuals are asking why they are not playing in this or that game.

“I wanted to be up front and clear with them. I think they respected my honesty which is what I always craved as a player.”

Taylor started Alexander’s first game as City boss against Barrow in November. But he was subbed at half-time the following week in the reshuffle that followed going 4-0 down in the televised defeat at Notts County.

He kept his place but was sent off for a professional foul late on at Forest Green and had to wait until January for another chance.

A four-game run in the side ended when he was dropped after Swindon and he was not named in the squad again.

City have offered Matty Platt a new contract while Sam Stubbs, who missed the end of the season through injury, triggered another year in his deal.

Matty Platt is considering a new deal to stay at Valley Parade (Image: Thomas Gadd)

The Bantams have opened talks with several potential targets as they step up the summer recruitment drive.

But Alexander admits he has learned from past mistakes not to rush into deals at this stage.

“I was like a bull at a gate at the start of my managerial career,” said the City chief. “I wanted everything done and dusted as quickly as possible and was really aggressive on it.

“But you learn from experience. That’s the same in all forms of life and certainly work.

“I’ve learned to be a bit more relaxed and obviously there are other people who come into the equation.

“There’s myself, there’s David (Sharpe), Genty (Stephen Gent) and Ryan (Sparks). Chris (Lucketti) is involved as well.

“It’s important that we have a lot of communication, which we are, because there are different things to consider.

“The playing side is clearly at the forefront of everything. But the budget comes into it and profiling and also how they fit in with the players we currently have.

“There’s lots to think about but, without a shadow of a doubt, you learn from your mistakes and what you did well in the past.

“Hopefully it helps you going forward but among the four or five of us, we’ve got a lot of experience in the different scenarios.”