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.
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It means Phillips will continue as first-choice goalkeeper for the remainder of the current season. Rohan Luthra was named on the bench for the first time at Reading, too, with George Ratcliffe having suffered an injury in the lead-up to the game.
"He won't be here next year," Morison said to WalesOnline when asked about Smithies. "He has been excellent for us. Between us not being able to financially compete with where he is and what he would require and the fact he wants to get closer to home in the north of the country.
"He gave us everything he could. Once the Swansea game was out of the way, we had a conversation and I think it's right that Dillon plays for the rest of the season as it's someone who is here next year.
"We thank Alex for everything he has done. It's just where we are at. Then the next training session, George Ratfcliffe gets injured! Rohan got his opportunity and he has been fantastic, he is someone who will be here next year as well. It's an opportunity for him to grow and get exposure to a first-team environment over the next month, ready for next season."
Recent reports have linked Cardiff with St Mirren goalkeeper Jak Alnwick. However, when asked about Cardiff's interest in the 28-year-old, who counts Rangers and Newcastle United among his former clubs, Morison remained tight-lipped.
"We are going to be linked to loads of people, because we have got loads of people out of contract," the Bluebirds boss added. "I've seen stories about loads of strikers we are interested in apparently!
"We have had conversations with lots of people, but I'm not going to talk about anyone who is currently at another football club, that's not right."
More out-of-contract players are expected to leave in the coming months. At time of writing, all of Joe Ralls, Sean Morrison, Will Vaulks, Aden Flint, Isaac Vassell, Ciaron Brown, Marlon Pack, Leandro Bacuna and Josh Murphy will see their deals run out in June.
