Steve Morison has confirmed that Cardiff City will release Alex Smithies this summer, with the player unable to reach a wage agreement and wanting to move closer to home.
The Bluebirds have 10 players out of contract at the end of this season and Smithies is the first domino to fall, so to speak, with many more expected to leave. It is understood that the goalkeeper, 32, is one of Cardiff's highest earners and the club are looking to drastically lower the wage bill in the off-season.
Smithies has been a stellar servant to the club over the last four years, having ousted Neil Etheridge from that No. 1 spot and keeping Dillon Phillips out of the side, both of which are no mean feats. He has largely been a dependable figure between the sticks but Cardiff are trying to cut their cloth accordingly and tough decisions will have to be made.
