Bradford release midfielder Taylor

FOOTBALL: Chris Taylor has become the fifth player released by Bradford City during the coronavirus crisis, but Rotherham United have been told they will be able to keep onloan midfielder Dan Barlaser in the increasingly unlikely event of the lower-league seasons being completed.

With the regular League One season due to have finished last month, some short-term contracts have come to an end and in the absence of any clarity, the Bantams have been forced to let players go.

Three were sent back at the end of loans, and Dylan MottleyHenry was let go when his short-term contract expired. Now midfielder Taylor’s brief but complicated Valley Parade career is over too.

Taylor came on trial in the summer but his initial deal was cancelled when it emerged he had appeared as a trialist for Barrow. He was finally given permission to sign in November, and extended his deal in January.

He was brought to the club by his former Blackpool manager Gary Bowyer and made 14 appearances under him, but played only four minutes for his successor, Stuart McCall.

The 33-year-old now faces an uncertain future with the market said to be flooded by outof-contract players, and clubs not expected to play in front of crowds before 2021. Over 1,400 Football League players are out of contract this summer.

More encouragingly, Newcastle United have told League One Rotherham they are happy to extend Barlaser’s loan until the end of the season. The 23-year-old has scored twice and made five goals in 27 League One appearances.

Welcome though it is, the news is likely to be academic, with Millers chairman Tony Stewart saying he would be “amazed” if the League One season was not cancelled, with a decision likely on Friday.

Newcastle’s goodwill is encouraging for another loan next season, particularly if Rotherham, second in the division, are promoted.