Full-back David Wright has confirmed that he has not been offered a new contract by the Blues, as first revealed by TWTD yesterday. The former Wigan and Crewe man’s current terms are up at the end of June.

Wright, who is 30 on Saturday, said: “I saw the manager on Tuesday and he said some nice things about me, but that he was looking in a new direction. I don’t agree with his decision, but I have to respect it.”

The Warrington-born defender joined the Blues from the Latics in January 2007 and has made 125 starts and three sub appearances, scoring five goals, perhaps most notably the winner against Derby earlier in the season which brought Town their first win of the campaign.

Keeper Richard Wright is the other high profile out of contract player to be released, while Pim Balkestein and Jon Stead are also set to depart, a fee having been agreed with Coventry for the striker’s signature, although personal terms have not yet been settled. Loanee Liam Rosenior is understood not to have been offered a Town deal.

Manager Roy Keane continued to meet out of contract players yesterday to tell them their fate.

Coaches Steve Foley, Ian McParland and Chris Kiwomya are also out of contract this summer with Foley understood to be leaving the club.

Town will make official announcements on who is being kept on and who will be leaving the club on Friday.

Photo: Action Images

evansblue added 10:56 - Apr 29 Goddard - I do. He stops at the half way line and full backs need to get forward more in this modern game. We were successful with players like Tarrico and Clapham who used to run up and down the flanks. There was a game recently, Scunthorpe or Doncaster and as soon as he had the ball he wanted to release it rather than take a player on. We need to move on with hungrier players.

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optimus_ryan21 added 11:08 - Apr 29 Roy Keane - take a bow son, yet another classic decision! let me guess it wouldnt be a certain Phil Bardsley who were goin to have replace possibly are most consistant player over the last 3 years would it? more sunderland rejects,great.........especially with resenior going we now have NOBODY! the chances of us getting in anyone more committed and better are extremley remote, so unless you crack out a deal for dani alves or sergio ramos you have lost me here. DW i really hope you find a manger who appreciates you as you have always been one of my favourite town players,all the best!

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StowTractorBoy added 11:10 - Apr 29 Another very high wage earner gone from a previous regime which is understandable as David Wright is not the answer for a Club hoping to progress. He was steady yes but beaten far too easily as demonstrated at Newcastle. He seemed to have lost his pace as well and whilst he would have been a good cover player I don't think he is good enough. A great Clubman though and I wish him well. I now await the signature of Mr. Bardsley.

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FenboyBlue added 11:12 - Apr 29 Roy, you'd better have a solid, experienced utility full-back in mind to replace David Wright because Peters & O'Connor - although coming on in leaps and bounds - aren't going to be able to deal with all types of opposition coming down our flanks if we're going to turn into a lean, mean promotion machine. I thought we'd be securing our defence now it's become the most solid for years not deconstructing it yet again. Good luck to David Wright, sad to see him go.

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PablosRightBoot added 11:21 - Apr 29 Absolutely gutted. A player that does what he is told, works hard and has experience. One of Magilton's better purchases I think. I wish him the very best of luck. A really nice guy too.
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MarkG76 added 11:26 - Apr 29 Good professional, seems a good bloke too. But I felt he never gave us enough going forward. Full backs nowadays need to be like extra wingers and have high mobility up and down the pitch. Wright never did this.
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campowasgod added 11:38 - Apr 29 Good decision from Keano. David seems a nice fella and a great pro but nobody can argue against the fact that he is not good enough to get us into play offs and beyond. We have better in Jaime Peters so Keano needs to pick up decent cover for him.
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ITFC1985 added 11:52 - Apr 29 Where Jamie Peters is good going forward, defensively he isnt great. i like Peters and i think he has done exceptionally well when he's been called upon this season, but as a long term right back i just cant see it, never goes in for tackles and gets knocked of the ball far too much, i hope Keane can find someone who has the qualities to go forward and defend, best of luck to DW top guy, model professional and solid defender!! (BTW Phil Bardsley is not the answer....)

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TedTurnip added 11:57 - Apr 29 Real shame. Committed, fighter, grafter. Will be missed in my opinion. Knew how to put a tackle in as well. Best of DW!!
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moomoosereni added 12:04 - Apr 29 Not massively fussed about this one I'm afraid. Let's see who the replacement is, that's more interesting!
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thebooks added 12:21 - Apr 29 Well, Keane has at least been consistent in his treatment of Wright; he was one of five players told at the start of the season that he wasn't in the manager's plans. Wright's a good player in my opinion; solid, dependable, flexible etc., qualities that can be underrated. If he's a high earner it makes sense, I guess, but I genuinely think the only reason is that Keane's not a fan. Let's just hope he has a good replacement lined up.

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Kievthegreat added 12:23 - Apr 29 I'm not a keane-outer but this decision smacks of stupidity to me. David wright is the most reliable and consistent performer in our team. He got my vote for player of the season last year and when he's been given the chance this year he's grabbed it and done well. He better have a brilliant replacement lined up. he better also have a good player to come in.
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Moscow_Blue added 12:33 - Apr 29 Good luck to David, wherever he ends up, but this is a sound decision in my opinion. He is getting on now and has been shown to be limited defensively in many matches this season. One can never question his character and desire but we need to move on and look for someone better. I would be comfortable with Peters at RB and O'Connor at LB, with McAuley and Delaney in the centre.

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bennyblue added 12:33 - Apr 29 never did trust those wrights sneaky lot but those keanes are worse some of the stuff ive heard i tell ya you wouldnt read about it !
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italiano added 12:35 - Apr 29 Eh!? He's slow and doesn't have an attacking bone in his body. Not fussed about this one at all. One of our biggest problems this season was a lack of crosses in the box, Wright's lack of creativity certainly didn't help this.
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BluePhilG added 12:47 - Apr 29 Reading this just rubber stamps my decision. Having had one for 15 years, I have not renewed my ST for next season.
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blue_floyd added 13:00 - Apr 29 Best of luck to you, David. Yet another victim of a clueless manager.
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petersongoal added 13:03 - Apr 29 disgraceful, in temrs of business im pretty sure we could have signed him up and then sold him on for a fair profit, could have helped with keanos next rubbish purchase! seems a bit of a waste to just tell him to naff off though, hes a good lad and a good player. sad news this.
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FabianMalyon added 13:08 - Apr 29 Bring back Wilnis!
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ITFCKeano added 13:20 - Apr 29 Anyone one here heard of "the legend of Gelert"? (google it). You might want to hold off sharpening your sword before you plunge it in and wait and see what Royston has done first?
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Help added 13:21 - Apr 29 evans blue good point. So why has RK brought in so many squad players last season
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kev_b20 added 13:29 - Apr 29 Not suprised in the slightest..... Any one who can actually play football isnt welcome in a Keane side...
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julesbda added 13:52 - Apr 29 Seems like another great decision and very popular with the fans !! :). He came easily second in the player of the year award from the fans last season and seems to have done well this season .....i'm sure he'll be playing against us next season for a team in the top 6 !! Good luck dave and thanks for all your hard work ..
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nthstd added 14:10 - Apr 29 Don't agree with this. Very capable right back and he was equally capable of going forward. This is certainly a wrong decision. I was always happy to see him in the back line gave me confidence.
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truethurstonblue added 14:26 - Apr 29 Apart from the occasional blip, David Wright has been one of our more consistent players in an inconsistent season. Hope RK knows what he is doing, cos I don't
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