We have a number of players with contracts expiring this summer and uncertain futures, but the one with the biggest question mark over his head was Nigel Reo-Coker. That question mark remains no longer, the club have just announced that he has been released along with nine other players.

I know Reo-Coker wasn’t in everyone’s list of favourite players, but he’s always given 100% and frequently was the only one providing anything close to the grit we needed in the centre of the park. It’s no secret that I am among his fans and was hoping that the contract issues would be resolved and we’d see him again next season.

Sadly not and I can’t pretend not to be disappointed, but that’s just the way things go. All the best for future Nigel, I hope it works out for you wherever you end up.

There were no question marks attached to John Carew‘s Aston Villa career, we all knew his contract would not be renewed and he’d leave the club. It’s a pity things turned a bit sour in his final season, but he’s given us a lot of fantastic memories, scored some important goals and he’ll always remain among my list of favourites.

I believe Carew is keen to stay at Stoke, but all the best to the big man wherever he ends up too.

It would be remiss of me not to mention that Moustapha Salifou has also left the club, we all wanted him to be a special player, but he could never quite make the breakthrough. And he’ll be joined Isaiah Osbourne and, of course, Robert Pires.

Harry Forrester we already knew about, but Arsenio Halfhuid who has been on loan in the Dutch 2nd Division will also leave, as will academy graduates Durrell Berry, Ellis Deeney and Calum Flanagan.

Best of luck to all ten for the future.