Striker Pablo Couñago has been released after four years at the club. There had been hints that former Celta Vigo man might stay with the Blues after he indicated a new contract was on the cards in the wake of the play-off defeat to West Ham, however boss Joe Royle has confirmed the Spaniard will leave when his deal is up at the end of June.

Royle said: “We have told Pablo that he is not in our plans for next season.

“He came back from pre-season training last summer unfit and never got fully fit. He could not do 90 minutes for us."

The Town manager was at pains to point out that reports of a rift between himself and the frontman had been over-hyped: “We got on fine. I gave him his chance and if you look at the records George Burley very rarely played him.

“Any talk of me having a vendetta against Pablo are way off the mark, and I wish him well in the future.”

Couñago joined the Blues from Celta Vigo on a Bosman free transfer in the summer of 2001. His first season saw him make only one league start and fail to score a goal.

However, his second season, 2002/03, saw the former Spanish U21 international make his mark, scoring 21 goals, despite receiving suspensions for two red cards.

The following season failed to live up to the previous year, and by the end a series of poor performances away from home in particular led to regular appearances on the bench.

Couñago was expected to leave last summer with the Blues keen to rid themselves of his Premiership wage which made up one-fifth of the club's £5 million payroll.

However, despite making him available on a free transfer, there was no interest. Once the season was underway, Preston and Spanish second division club Córdoba made loan offers but these were turned down by the former Numancia loanee.

Couñago spent most of last season on the bench and appeared certain to make a summer exit until his surprise comments after the West Ham match. A return to Spain now looks likely.

Couñago made 69 starts for Town (plus 52 as sub) and scored 36 goals.

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