Former Coventry City favourite Liam Walsh released by Bristol City

Former Coventry City favourite Liam Walsh has been released by Bristol City.

The midfielder is one of 11 players coming out of contract with the Robins who have released the club’s retained list today.

Our sister title Bristol Live reported that some negotiations were still in the air, reporting that Walsh’s future wasn’t completely decided as of last night (Thurs, May 13), with the possibility that it could go either way.

But today the club confirmed that Walsh is being let go after a disastrous year on the sidelines with injury, playing just 124 Championship minutes in one start and two substitute appearances.

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Sky Blues boss Mark Robins is a huge admirer of Walsh, whom he was keen to keep last summer after an impressive season-long loan spell during which the 23-year-old helped Coventry win the League One title and gain promotion to the Championship.

But his parent club had an one year option in the player’s contract and triggered that, opening the way for the former Everton trainee to finally make his mark at Ashton Gate.

A pre-season injury, however, put paid to that with Walsh managing just three appearances last month before breaking down again and resigning himself to curtailing his season in a bid to get right.

Whether Walsh would be deemed a risk given his recent injury concern remains to be seen.

Coventry will be looking to strengthen in central midfield this summer.

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Mark Robins has previously expressed his desire to keep hold of Matty James, who is out of contract at Leicester City, while there has been plenty of speculation already linking Gustavo Hamer – the man brought in to replace Walsh – with interest from several other clubs.

Manager Nigel Pearson explained following the final game of the season against Brentford last weekend that he had already spoken to some players on their longer-term futures, but that the rest would be spoken with this week.

Contract negotiations have now taken place and the club is due to publish their retained list today, after Pearson previously explained that news was likely to come officially during the week.

At the heart of the contract negotiations is a depressed transfer market and the reduced finances across the EFL. Without crowds because of the pandemic, every club beyond the top tier without parachute payments must perilously watch the spreadsheets. Derby County’s plight and recent coverage offers a timely reminder of the other path.

And that means that wage demands are on the back foot and players may not get what was offered before. Many seasoned and qualified football commentators have warned of financial reset.

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