Byrne deal not to be extended

Athletic have decided not to hand the defender Richie Byrne a new short-term contract due to his continuing injury problems. His recurrence of a long-standing hamstring problem has jeopardised the 27-year-old's chances of extending his stay at Boundary Park.

Alan Hardy stated, "At the moment Richie is not being offered a contract renewal because of the uncertainty over his injury as he has had long-term problems with his hamstring."