No Doncaster bid for Batty, says Mccann
THERE has been no bid from Doncaster Rovers for Hull City midfielder Dan Batty, according to head coach Grant Mccann.
Batty was not involved in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Blackpool at the KCOM Stadium, having been taken off at halftime in midweek against Fleetwood with City trailing 2-0.
The Tigers chief also confirmed that Batty has still to accept a new contract which was offered to him in January last year with his current deal expiring in the summer.
City’s Pontefract-born midfielder has largely been used in cup competitions this season, and appears to be behind Alfie Jones and Sheffield United loanee Regan Slater in Mccann’s midfield pecking order, so has found league appearances hard to come by.
“We have Regan (Slater) who is a different type of player to Batts, but not that I’m aware of he’s not leaving,” Mccann said. “I’ve not heard that, no,” he then responded by BBC Humberside about their report of the 23-year-old being a target for Rovers.
“No, he didn’t sign it. Batts was offered a new contract this time last year which he didn’t sign.
“Batts is in his last year at this present time – in his option year.
“It’s not as simple as that,” said Mccann when asked if Batty would be offered a new deal. “It’s not as simple as just offering people contracts because there’s a salary cap and it’s difficult, they have to come within the salary cap when you offer them a new deal.
“It’s not easy, especially ones who are on existing ones from the Championship because that gets included in your cap which in turn will get the club in trouble so it’s a difficult balancing act.”
Despite bids coming in for Martin Samuelsen, Mccann confirmed that as it currently stands, he doesn’t expect any further departures from the KCOM.
“Not at this present time, there may be as the window goes on. If anyone does go, it gives us the opportunity to replace,” he said.