Jordan Moore-Taylor and Ben Gladwin are among nine players released by League One side MK Dons this morning. Moore-Taylor has had an injury-laded two years at Stadium MK, while Gladwin only joined on a short-term deal in January.
Jordan Moore-Taylor and Ben Gladwin Released By MK Dons
Released List
Despite being an admirable performer when fit, Moore-Taylor has arguably spent as much time in the treatment room as on the pitch during his time with MK Dons. He joined from Exeter City in 2018, following Grecians boss Paul Tisdale.
Current Dons boss Russell Martin feels that the defender played too much too soon after returning from knee surgery, and that could be a contributor to the decision to let him go.
Gladwin, meanwhile, joined from Blackburn Rovers in January. The midfielder has had a horrible spell on injuries and his time at the club was always viewed to be one where he could regain match fitness.
A spectacular goal against Wycombe Wanderers and a series of impressive performances off the bench could have been enough to earn him a deal for next season. However, with finances being impacted across the EFL, the Dons will have had to make some concessions somewhere.
Also leaving the club are strikers Dylan Asonganyi and Joe Mason. Youngster Asonganyi looked to have broken into the side last season but has barely featured in this campaign. Mason, meanwhile, had a brief purple patch in front of goal when he returned from injury, but otherwise has not had the desired effect up front.
Ryan Harley, who moved to a coaching position when Martin took over as manager, will have his playing contract expired. Martin’s playing contract, meanwhile, will be left to expire, but he will stay on as manager.
Back-up goalkeepers Stuart Moore and Laurie Walker will both leave the club, while academy product Charlie Pattison and Ben Reeves, who re-joined the club at the start of the season, will leave too.
New Deals
A trio of young players, Sam Nombe, David Kasumu and Matthew Sorinola, signed new contracts during the season, so will be remaining at Stadium MK next campaign.
Jay Bird, meanwhile, has had the option of an extra year in his deal exercised by the club.
First-teamers Callum Brittain, Dean Lewington and Joe Walsh have all been offered new contracts, with their current deals expiring at the end of the month.
What Was Said?
On the players released by the club, Martin said: “There are guys on the released list who we’ll remain in dialogue with while we work out where we’re going to be financially next season. We’ll stay in conversation with them to see if we can sort something out for them to return, but it has to be right for the football club given the climate that we are in.”
On Ryan Harley’s role at the club, he said: “I hope to have Ryan back in some capacity. He’s been excellent bridging that gap between the players and staff and he’s played a key role for us. There won’t be anything immediate on that, though, because there are lots of other things we need to sort out first, and Ryan understands that.”
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