Birmingham City will this week have to confirm their retained list to the English Football League.
A deadline of Saturday, May 18 has been placed on EFL clubs not involved in a play-off to inform those who govern those who govern of the divisions of their contract situations. It does not need to be shared publicly with it up to the clubs if they would like to disclose that information, though it will become available in June.
In Birmingham's case and it will be the same for a few others, they will have some issues to sort out. Blues of course were relegated to League One, and they have more than 10 players out of contract. Technical director Craig Gardner has a job on his hands to work through who is worth keeping after a disappointing campaign.
Ivan Sunjic looks to be the most expensive departure if a deal can not be agreed. He arrived from Dinamo Zagreb for a reported £6.3m back in 2019 and to lose him for nothing would be disappointing.
Birmingham are potentially without a senior goalkeeper for next season too with John Ruddy and Neil Etheridge both out of contract. Ruddy would perhaps be the likelier to stay of the two given he played a lot more football but that could attract some interest from clubs in the Championship.
The League One season finished a week before the Championship did and so already a lot of the teams Birmingham will be playing next year have made their stance known on their out of contract players. Some could be of interest given they've had experience of playing at that level.
A total of 174 players from 23 clubs have been let go across the second and third divisions of English football. Here including players from the likes of Bristol City, Portsmouth and Blackpool.

5. Stoke City
Released players: Tyrese Campbell, Ciaran Clark, Wesley. Contract discussions: Enda Stevens | Getty Images

6. Blackpool
Released players: Mackenzie Chapman, Callum Connolly, Marvin Ekpiteta, Dannen Francis, Brad Holmes, Shayne Lavery, Donovan Lescott, Luke Mariette, Will Squires, Tayt Trusty, Matty Virtue. Contract discussions: James Husband, Tyler Hill Photo: CameraSport - Lee Parker

7. Bristol Rovers
Released players: Sam Finley, John Marquis, Josh Grant, Lewis Gordon, James Gibbons, Harvey Greenslade, Ryan Jones. Contract discussions: Scott Sinclair, Jordan Rossiter, Luca Hoole. Photo: Harry Trump

8. Cambridge United
Released players: Ryan Bennett, Harrison Dunk, Brandon Haunstrup, James Holden, Saikou Janneh, Fejiri Okenabirhie, Lyle Taylor, Saleem Akanbi, Harvey Beckett, Tom Finch, Greg Sandiford, Kai Yearn. Contract discussions: Glenn McConnell, Amaru Kaunda, James Brophy, Mamadou Jobe, Elias Kachunga, Sullay Kaikai, Will Mannion, Jordan Cousins. | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images


