Squad planning is always tricky. Managers want to freshen their squads up for the next campaign, but to do so they normally have to move current players out. 

When players are at the end of their contracts it is easy enough, but it becomes more problematical when a player is still under contract. If he goes to a smaller, or lower status club, the player and his agent will want compensating for any loss of earnings. The player may also choose to stay put in order to negotiate a better deal a year down the line, when he will be a free agent.

There are one or two under contract players that Chris Powell may be considering moving on. The fees would be useful for team building, as would the freeing up of their wages.

Dale Stephens attracted a £2 million bid from Aston Villa a year ago, but the Addicks held out for the £2.5 million they believed Stephens was worth. Villa switched their attention to Crewe’s Ashley Westwood, with the deal going through just before the deadline. Everton and Newcastle were also thought to be interested so Powell may be able to raise funds by selling Stephens this summer.

Danny Hollands struggled to find his best form after a summer operation on his toe. He was behind the rest of the team in terms of fitness at the start of the season and the 4-5-1 shape often utilised, did not bring the best out of him. Hollands, a regular in the promotion team, was loaned to Swindon and could be another that the manager would be willing to let go.

Another promotion team regular who could be surplus to requirements is Danny Green. Whether Hollands and Green would attract interest from other Championship clubs remains to be seen. With Eddie Howe returning to Bournemouth during the season, and leading the Cherries into the Championship, it is possible he may try to resign Hollands.

One out-of-contract player widely tipped to leave is Bradley Wright-Phillips. His name was not amongst those on the not retained list earlier in the week and Wright-Phillips’ departure may not be as certaon as some think. It is still possible he will be made an offer on reduced terms.

Sky are reporting that Charlton and Derby are interested in signing Crawley’s former Bolton and Wolves defender, Mark Connolly. An Irish Under-21 international, Connolly will be 22 in December. Though he is an option, his impressive fellow countryman, Kevin Feely, may be ready to be elevated to senior squad next season. Feely has experience of European football with Bohemians and is a vocal player who can organise and encourage colleagues.