Imminent departures? Who could be going

Last updated : 07 March 2005 By Michael Morris
Graham Kavnagah was the first player to be sold as City look to bring in cash, and soon.

We face a relegation battle but the side could be ripped apart and players sold. Wages need to be reduced, cash needs to be generated to pay the wages (we assume) of those who remain at the club.

City were able to select from a full squad bar Kavnanagh last Saturday but what sort of team will we have this coming Saturday.

Spoeaking last Thursday Lennie said that no players would be gone by the weekend. Within 24 hours Kav had signed for Wigan

Lennie's latest comments

"I can't say there will be no more players sold but to say there will be 10 out by Friday is nonsense," he said in response to reports that 9 or 10 players could leave this week.

"Quite possibly there will be more departures next week, but not 10. It's a feeding frenzy but we are going to deal with it logically.

"I can't really say no to any offer, but I discuss with Sam what is an acceptable price and make recommendations. The last word is with him, though, and always has been. I don't particularly want to sell our younger players but I couldn't categorically say we couldn't sell James Collins, for example, because that might be the only concrete bid.

"I don't want to say I would rather this player went than that one, but you don't want to be selling your future if you can avoid it. I want to keep hold of everyone, especially the younger ones, but we will have to see."

The players linked to moves away are

Peter Thorne - Forest (although his hamstring injury on Saturday may scupper that).

James Collins - West Ham. Lennie has admitted that the Hammers are coming in for James but their offer was refused. A comment in Saturday's Independent claims that City have not yet completed payments for Jobi McAnuff so James could be part of a deal to clear the account between the clubs.

Chris Barker and Paul Parry - both to Stoke.

Andy Campbell - Darlington.

Jobi McAnuff - Sunderland or Leicester.

Tony Vidmar - QPR or Sunderland.

Stuart Fleetwood - Reading.

Richard Langley - QPR.

Danny Gabbidon is linked to Wigan as well.

Time will tell. The coming week looks like being very difficult indeed. There are talks of urgent meeting between the club, the council and the developers as they look to rescue the stadium and get it in progress ASAP. Personally I'm struggling to understand how the stadium can happen when there are reported shortfalls of upto £16m in the business plan. If we can't manage a months wages for the staff where do we get £16m.

Sam appears desperate to retain power. Reports suggest Michael Isaac is willing to cover the wages and put in more money but he quite understandably wants a bigger share in the club. Hammam is not having it. His option is to sell players to bring in the cash as he desperately tries to get the stadium deal through. Any share that Sam loses to Isaac will mean less money for Sam if it ever happens. Wales on Sunday suggested Isaac's wanted 50% and a controlling share.

Watch this space.