Martin Cranie "on verge of leaving Coventry City"

[dutchman]

It's looking increasingly likely that Martin Cranie will be leaving Coventry City this summer.



The out-of-contract centre-back was due to hold talks with the club about the prospect of being offered a fresh deal but new budget restrictions suggest the Sky Blues will be forced to let him go.

Manager Andy Thorn had hoped to convince the 25-year-old to stay and help with the fight to get back to the Championship alongside Player of the Year Richard Keogh after the pair struck up an impressive partnership at the heart of the back four.

But a more “realistic” budget looks to have dashed any chances of that now happening while Keogh continues to be linked with interest from a host of other clubs.

Club chief executive Tim Fisher had hoped to convince owners Sisu to provide Thorn with a “bounce back” budget which may have enabled City to fulfil the former England Under-21 international’s wage requirements, particularly given the fact that a number of big earners are coming off the wage bill this summer.

But Cranie, who signed for City from Portsmouth three years ago, appears to have played his last game for the club.

Skipper Sammy Clingan and striker Freddy Eastwood are two of the highest earners to go, while it is expected that James McPake – who still has a year left on his contract – will be the subject of a bid from Hibernian after tomorrow’s Scottish Cup Final against Hearts at Hampden Park.

Forward Roy O’Donovan, who also has another year at the Ricoh, is also part of the Hibs’ cup squad and is expected to be told to find himself a new club this summer.

Third choice goalkeeper Danny Ireland is also coming off the wage bill after his contract expires at the end of June.