What will happen to out-of-contract six who have not been released?

WHEN Burton Albion’s released list came out last week, it differed from that of other clubs in that it did not also include a “contracted” list and a list of those who were out of contract but might be offered another deal.

That is fair enough – any club can choose to let out what news they like, when they like – but it does, of course, leave supporters (and reporters) only able to speculate about the players not named.

The other thing that is missing is a list of players specifically “made available for transfer.” Peterborough United, for example, have said that Ryan Broom, who they loaned to Burton for the second half of the season, is available.

If Brewers fans are wondering whether or not another loanee, Sean Clare, might be made available, they will probably have to wait a bit, as his parent club, Oxford United, are in the play-offs. He will presumably be available for them.

Once again, it is understandable that Burton have not sent out an “available for transfer” list.

It is the nature of football that, if the offer is good enough, every player is available. Peterborough did not put leading scorer Jonson Clarke-harris on an available list but if a Premier League club offers several million for him, they will listen, as they have with their leading scorers several times previously in recent years.

The point is, an “available” list is a bit irrelevant. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink will already know which of the contracted players he will fight tooth and nail to keep and which he might let go if offers were attractive and he has what he considers to be better replacements lined up.

What’s more, given the state of football finances and the huge number of players who will be coming on to the market at this time who will be freely available, clubs might find they struggle to move on players they want a fee for.

Once we had established that Lucas Akins’ contract did still have a year to run, it was not difficult to compile a list of Burton’s already contracted players. There are 10: Akins, John Brayford, Kieran O’hara, Jonny Smith, Tom Hamer, Terry Taylor, Joe Powell, Ciaran Gilligan, Josh Parker and Kane Hemmings. It is not a bad nucleus.

The biggest questions remain over the players out of contract. Presumably, they will be made offers. They do not have to accept them.

Here is the state of play with the six senior players who are on that list, along with my guess – and it is only a guess – about what may happen with them.

I understand answers to some of the questions could be imminent.

Ben Garratt: Garratt has completed a two-year deal with Burton after joining from the only other club of his career to date, Crewe Alexandra, for whom he made 246 appearances stretched across nine years.

He became Hasselbaink’s first choice when the new manager arrived and justified his initial selection with two brilliant saves late in the game to ensure the Brewers won the first game under Hasselbaink, the 1-0 win against Gillingham.

I would not rule out Hasselbaink looking for a third goalkeeper to challenge Garratt and O’hara but I believe Garratt will be offered and will sign a new deal with Burton.

Michael Bostwick: He finished the season injured and had been injured twice during Jake Buxton’s time as manager in the first half of the season but the impression he made when he was fit under Hasselbaink – “the defensive leader”, the Dutchman called him – is likely to lead to a new deal.

Bostwick came on a one-year deal and the new offer may bethe same lenght. He is 33 today but if he can stay fit next season, he would be an asset.

Danny Rowe: Hasselbaink offered him a chance to resurrect a stuttering career when he gave the 27-year-old winger a short-term deal until the end of the season. Rowe has twice previously in his career taken short breaks from the game but the manager commented that Rowe was “rediscovering his love for football” towards the end of the season and he brought Burton a lot of willing running and no little skill. I believe he will be offered a deal

Ryan Edwards acknowledges that the manager’s assessment of the situation is accurate.

Ryan Edwards is the big “will he, won’t he” of Burton’s out of contract players as the Australian midfielder reaches the end of his two-year deal.

Goalkeeper Ben Garratt looks likely to be offered a new deal – and is likely to accept it.

Danny Rowe was on a short-term deal.